BACKGROUND: Bidi smoking is the most common form of tobacco use in India, accounting for 85% of all smoking products. The bidi industry, with over EUR 450 million turnover, is considered a 'large non-EU company' under EU rules on corporate sustainability due diligence (Directive 2024/1760). This study focuses on West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, the two largest bidi producing states, to understand health impacts on bidi rollers, environmental impacts, and risks to women and under aged children.
METHODS: The study used a non-probabilistic purposive sampling method to identify three regions with high bidi roller density in West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. 200 rollers from each state were interviewed between December-January 2023-24. Data was transcribed and translated into English, thematic analysis with iterative coding and descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using Ms Excel (2021) and SPSS v.27 (2020). Key themes identified include demographic, socio-economic scenario, occupational health issues, health issues of the family, exploitation, environmental awareness, handling of rejected bidis and socio-economic benefits as a bidi roller and benefits from the bidi company.
RESULTS: In both the states, disease and sickness in the family, accidents or burns were the major reasons of out-of-pocket expenses among the bidi rollers. Back pain was the most prevalent health issue linked to this occupation. Common grievances included low payment rates, fraudulent activities related to provident fund. Among the surveyed bidi rollers, high awareness of health impacts of tobacco was found as compared to the environmental impacts.
CONCLUSIONS: Prevalent health hazards, poor remuneration, and exploitative practices due to factors like poverty, family obligations, and societal norms. Ensuring livelihoods, registering all bidi rollers, and increasing taxation are crucial. This research adds to the dearth of evidence in an unorganised sector like bidi industry, to further transpose the EU-Directive into national law and communicate the relevant texts.