Beedi, a hand rolled cigarette commonly famous in India is a major cause of tuberculosis deaths according to a report by the health minister. It is estimated that about 100 million poor people in India smoke Beedi.

Beedi the most widely used form of tobacco, being cheaper in India, is commonly being consumed by the poor class and the illiterate. Cigarettes and beedi are know to cause the same diseases, except beedi which is more risky.

The two cancer causing agents are found in higher levels in beedi. Beedi also contains high level of hydrogen, ammonia, cyanide, phenol and carbon monoxide.

India is a largest producer of beedi. Due to cheap labour Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are the major beedi manufacturing hubs in India.

The reports were prepared by the Centre for Disease control and Prevention in Atlanta, World Health Organization and the US Department of Health and Human Sciences.

Tobacco claims millions of lives globally and 438,000 American deaths ever year. Tobacco is known to cause 15 types of cancer. Though it’s a know fact that Tobacco is harmful, it is preventable.