CHEWING TOBACCO (SWEET KHAINE)

The use of tobacco originated in America, and the name is probably derived from the original work used to describe the pipes employed by the carile Indians for smoking the weed. Tobacco is said to have been introduced into India in the beginning of 17th century. As elsewhere in the world, It has thrived inspite of considerable neglect and social disapproval. The genus Nicotiana is one of the five large genera of solanaceae, and is represented by about 60 recognized speceis. Out of the 60 species only two species Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica most popular and are used in different ways. There is no variely that is grown appreciably to any extent either for chewing or for snuff and usually the same variety is consumed in a number of forms. Thus the “Monnakappal” “Olsikappal” “Vettakappal” and Yerumaikappal varieties grown in the districts of madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu, the Desi variety grown in Bihar and used in hookah, the Desi tobacco of Assam and U.P. and Jati of west Bengal are also for chewing. The kali chopadia and Jueli tobaccos of Gujarat area are also largely used for chewing and snuff. Generally leaf with medium to thick texture and pungent aroma is selected for chewing and snuff colour plays a less important part, but for snuffs darker coloured leaf is sellected presumably as an indication of strength. There are, however, certain varieties which are mostly used for chewing and snuff, eg puchakkad tobacco, the leaves of which are dark brown and medium in texture grown is S. Kanara district of Karnataka. Nicotiana rustica, leaves of `Motihari’ grown in West Bengal, of Vilayaati in Assam and Bihar and Kolkata in Punjab and U.P, which are well developed thick in texture with bitter aroma and biting tast, are selected for chewing and snuff. The tobacco cultivation and industry have made a steady progress from the beginning of the current century but for short set-back immediately after and portion in 1947. Because of partition the valuable cigar wrapper tobacco growing areas in Rangpur went to Pakistan, now Bangladesh. In spite of this during the three decades 1950-51 to 1980-81 there has been a substantial increase in the area and production of tobacco particularly of the flev-cured varginia type used in the manufacture of cigarettes. Tobacco is cultivated over an area of about 5 lakh hectares with an annual production ranging from 400 to 500 million kg. As compared to the area under F.C.V. tobacco in 1950-51 which was only 40,000 hectares, the area at present under this type of extends over 170-200 thousand hectares. The production of F.C.V. tobacco has also significantly increased from about 40 million kg. in 1950-51 to the present level of 150 million kg. Chewing tobacco is cultivated predominantly in Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and to some extent in Utter Pradesh, Punjab, Orissa and Kerala. Good variety of tobacco of desired quantity is available at caonporej U.P. Paper is coated with Polyethylene, for water resistance. with a 4-6 lb/ream coating with the coated paper is considered water shedding or water repellent. One mill coating (14.4 lb ream) are considered water resistant. Coating upto 2 mills are common while 4 mill coating is exceptional. Single ply polyethylene coating paper are used when chemical Inertness, high dielectric strength and good moisture banner properties are required, such as battery tube stock. Polyethylene coated papers are used for the wrapping of oiled machine parts and are also used as liners of spirally wound fibre oil cans, ream wraps and heat sealable waterproof pouches. Two layers of paper laminated together with a layer of polythene are also used. These paper are used for pharmaceutical, chemical, Tea, Coffee and food packaging. LDPE Laminated or Coated papers, due to better appearance and strength. There is good scope in this field. Polythene of low density or medium low density is used for paper coating. Polyethene pigmented with titanium di-oxide gives good appearance. Base paper of plain, stretchable or greped type may be used for the purpose. All types of chewing tobacco is used as chewing material by the people which generates some sensation and makes the people fresh and recovering from tiresome. Due to its intoxicant constituent nicotine it serves the purpose of germicide for teeth and so people use it for saving their teeth from various dental diseases. As sixty percent of our country’s population lives below poverty line, they can not afford cigarette and other costly items like pan masala, cigar and churrot etc. The only alternate remains for them chewing tobacco, which can be taken anytime, just after rubbing it with some time. As it is not inhaled it is also safer from the point of lung diseases. Although it is used all the country in general yet Bihar Andhra Pradesh eastern U.P. and some parts of Maharashtra & M.P. are the areas were chewing tobacco is much prevalent.