Stigma and Emotional Burden of Bidi Smoking: A Latent Socio-Evaluative Model In Underserved Indian Laborers

This study examined stigma’s emotional impact in bidi-smoking Indian laborers. Among 149 participants, a strong socio-evaluative stigma factor emerged (λ=.84–.95; ωₕ=.79). SEM showed stigma predicted embarrassment (β=.49) and feeling one’s smoking bothers others (β=.66). Findings identify an affective pathway linking stigma to tobacco-use experiences.