 Oral cancer is a common type of cancer in Southeast Asia, mainly caused by the consumption of beetle quid and smokeless tobacco. Beetle nuts contain alkaloids which are known to be carcinogenic and contribute to the development of oral cancer. Animal and laboratory studies have shown that these alkaloids cause cellular and molecular changes that promote tumor growth and progression. Clinical studies have also found that chronic beetle quid users have a higher risk of developing oral submucous fibrosis, a precursor to oral cancer. This article was authored by Kalpani son of Aravna, Roshan Pradeep, Yovanthi Anirangi J. Sinha, and others.