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5133527 
Journal Article 
Comparative chemical analysis of Indian bidi and American cigarette smoke 
Hoffmann, D; Sanghvi, LD; Wynder, EL 
1974 
Yes 
International Journal of Cancer
ISSN: 0020-7136
EISSN: 1097-0215 
14 
1 
49-53 
English 
HEEP COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Human data suggest an association between bidi smoking and cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and lung. The mainstream smoke of a popular Indian bidi and a popular US nonfilter cigarette were analyzed. Compared to cigarette smoke, bidi smoke has a high content of several toxic agents such as CO (7.7 vs. 3.5 volume %), ammonia (284 vs. 180 mug), HCN (902 vs. 445 mug), phenol (250 vs. 150 mug), other volatile phenols (264 vs. 173 mug) and carcinogenic hydrocarbons, benz(a)anthracene (117 vs. 81 ng) and benzo(a)pyrene (78 vs. 47 ng). These chemical data suggest that the smoke of bidis has carcinogenic activity and underline the need for bioassaying this inhalant.