2009       Medsin Global Health Photo Competition, UK – Winner

‘Bidi Smoking in Rural Rajasthan, North India’

‘Bidis’ or ‘Beedis’ are India’s cheapest, least taxed and most commonly used form of tobacco. They are slim, hand-rolled, unfiltered cigarettes predominantly smoked by men but produced mainly by women and young children. Rajasthan has one of the highest per capita consumption of bidis in both rural and urban areas. Bidis are highly addictive and contain numerous genotoxic chemicals. Epidemiological studies conducted in India have confirmed the association of bidi smoking with cardiovascular diseases, cancers and respiratory illnesses. As well as increased health risks bidi smoking leads to economic and social harm in communities.