The sample was a convenience sample largely comprised of racial and ethnic minority youth. Sixteen percent had smoked a bidi within the last 30 days. Eight percent were classified as heavy bidi smokers, meaning they had smoked more than 100 bidis in their lifetime. Other reasons these teens gave included looking cool and smoking bidis because their friends smoke them. Bidis are also preferred by some because they do not smell like cigarettes.
Many teens are apparently unaware of the health dangers posed by smoking bidis.
Other ancedotal reports indicate the same misconception. Bidis may be perceived as safer because they are smaller than manufactured cigarettes. Smokers may also be misled to believe that bidis are a herbal product because they're wrapped in leaves, not paper. And they are sold in some health food stores. Bidi advertising sometimes plays on this misconception of a natural and safe herbal product.