Tobacco & Papers?

Peacefulplanet

*cough*
To post this in the health forum is inappropriate, but "well being" fits for me, so here is my question: I am dumb enough to be a smoker, but I switched to "no additives-tobacco" like Manitou, American Spirit or Pueblo. Is there a chance I can buy stuff like this in the bigger cities of India? What about papers? As far as i know the indian rolling papers are rather thick?

Thanks a lot

wonderwomanusa

You might find something universal like DRUM in India, but I don't think it's likely that you'll find something like American Spirit; better take your own.

crvlvr

Cigarette paper is available in India. But have not yet seen cigarette tobacco..

BTW, smoking in India has been banned in many public places. There will be no signs to warn you of it. So, be careful.

http://www.southeastasianews.net/story/266626

Peacefulplanet

Thanks, much appreciated

Another question: Where I come from (NW Germany, near the Netherlands) smoking tobacco is almost as common as smoking regular filter cigarettes. I lived in Vienna for about six years and quite often people looked at me while I was rolling my cigarette as if I was a "drug-addict" - as hand rolled tobacco cigarettes are very uncommon in India I better smoke filter cigarettes in public because otherwise everyone will think I'm smoking ganja?

TIA

freenote

If you don't mind a bit of nicotine ,there's the local hand rolled cigarettes "Biddies " inexpensive and available everywhere .Havent tried them myself having withdrawn from tobacco 5 years ago but the "biddies" have been my greatest temptation

Darmabum

Drum, among others, Samson, etc, can be found. You'll pay a premium for it, so take along as much as you want/are allowed/care to smuggle in, if Organic or Non-Additive is your deal. I'm a smoker too . . .we are, for Shiva's-sake, drug addicts . . . it's just one of the legal ones. Enjoy.

__________________
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blackbird

I believe they will think that, so better to smoke rollups in private, or in places that get lots of western backpackers.

The only rolling tobacco I've seen in India has been Drum, Samson and Golden Virginia, and only in tourist spots like Goa and Kerala (you won't find it in many cities) It's brought in from Europe and you'll pay European prices, so you could save a lot of money switching to Indian straight cigarettes. Or even more by trying beedies, as freenote suggests. You might even find you like them.

vandy

Hi there,I too am one of THOSE with that habit,
I also roll my own and got some interested looks
whilst in Kerala,They were just fascinated & in
some cases keen to try one themselves.I happily
obliged and made instant friends.

I took my own tobacoo (Duty Free)which was ample
for my usual 2-3 week visits. Every now & again I
would buy local Golden Flake & Beedies for a
nice change.

Happy Puffing

vandy

kidsan

it all depends on what you call european prices. i paid about 150/160 rs for a 50gr pack of samson in mcleodganj last year which is about £2.Now im aware that this is pretty much the price in the netherlands (or was when i lived there) but as it's now over £5 a pack in the Uk this represents a considerable saving.

As for bidis, last time i smoked those for a reasonable length of time i ended up with a dreadful cough...they're really not good for you!

Aran

Interesting thread as I'm a roll up person too..

tasuray

In India, tobaco and cigarette papers are available. I used to roll my cigarettes in the past.Indian make tobacos which are easily available are Prince Henry (both fine and flake cut),Capstan and Van Gough (flake cut).I've seen 'Flying Dutchman'also.Most common paper is Capstan.Indian papers are thicker than foreign one.

pundabee

If you smoke rollies it is probably because you prefer these to filter cigarettes. Therefore, it makes little sense to change to filter cigarettes while in India. Getting pleasure from smoking is more important than only satisfying an addiction.

I smoke rollies and it is much cheaper than smoking filter cigarettes. A rough calculation: I use 35 grams of tobacco (Drum and Golden Virginia are the brands most commonly available, but only in touristy places) a week and 3 packs of filters (blue Rizzlas are the most commonly available). Total price is Rs. 200. If I had to buy Indian filter cigarettes of reasonable quality, I would be spending Rs. 350. If I had to buy foreign filter cigarettes, I would be spending Rs. 700.

The only problem, as mentioned, is availability. Bring enough to keep you going for a couple of weeks or however much you can carry if you smoke a rare brand.

Concerning whether or not it is frowned upon smoking rollies: it is not. People are just not used to them. It is not illegal or inappropriate to smoke rollies so there is no reason to stop. And if you do want to smoke the equipment will come in handy.