If you are a smoker above 18 years of age, and wonder where you can get hold of the blue, yellow, or green coloured tobacco pouch at best price, with guaranteed authenticity, and convenience? We at PEER Next go the extra mile in ensuring that we source only 100% authentic rolling tobacco products which are within the shelf life and have not gotten spoilt. Rolling tobacco should not be purchased is the outer packing has been tampered with, or if the tobacco smells and look too old. There are also numerous cases of counterfeits or fake products being sold in the unorganized segment of the market, which can be harmful for one’s health. For safety reasons, please do not consume fake/clones products even if they are sold at a heavy discount or not.
THE BELOW ARE SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the top hand rolling tobacco brands in India?
There are numerous brands of rolling tobacco found in India. Some popular ones are Dutch Land, Gold Mark, Lucky Strike, but the most popular five are American Spirit, Golden Virginia, Pueblo, Drum, and Amber Leaf, typically in this order of popularity. American Spirit and Golden Virginia are the two most used brands. These products are found in thousands of paan/tobacco shops, and online on platforms such as Blinkit. We at PEER Next offer the top 5 rolling tobacco brands in India online at the best price, and most importantly only 100% authentic products which have not gone stale or spoilt. Hand rolling tobacco is by some users perceived to be less costly and with less preservatives in comparison to conventional pre-rolled cigarettes. We at PEER Next do not make any such claim. Consumption of tobacco is addictive and injurious to health. There is absolutely no debate regarding that.
Is the sale of rolling tobacco legal in India?
Tobacco sale in India is governed by COPTA, i.e. Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. As per the act, it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone below the age of 18 years. So, if you are 18 years today, then you can buy these products, but not if you are even a day younger. We have a strict age verification policy, wherein before your order is dispatched, we ask for your valid government id that proves you are of the legal age, and only then is the order dispatched. This is a one-time process per customer. Once your id has been verified, you will not have to show your id the next time. Please note that the name of the ship to/bill to details will need to match the name given on the id.
Can rolling tobacco go stale or spoilt over time? What is the shelf life?
Yes, if exposed to extreme heat/cold/moisture the rolling tobacco can get spoilt, at which point it can taste stale or bland. Also, if the item is too old beyond its shelf life, then it will not be recommended to use the product. If the tobacco pouch is unsealed, then usually the product is fine for about 1-2 year. If the seal is broken, then it should ideally be consumed within 3 months, after which it may taste different. Tobacco can get too dry, and lose its intended taste and experience.
How does PEER Next maintain the freshness of these products?
It is vital to note that the right level of moisture if essential in retaining the desired taste of rolling tobacco. If the moisture is too much, or too little, then it will impact the taste and user experience. We at PEER Next keep a de-humidifier and a mechanism to increase the moisture level if need be. We may regulate this level of moisture depending on the level in storage, and what month it is – summers vs monsoon. We may also use a hydro-stone when needed to maintain the air humidity level.
What are the popular variants of American Spirit?
American Spirit Blue (Original) in 30g is the most popular variant of all the rolling tobacco options, not just in India but also globally. American Spirit yellow in 30g packet is also popular though not as much as Blue. The brand (also known as Natural American Spirit) had claimed to have less preservatives, additives, burn accelerators, and relatively more natural tobacco that typical pre-rolled cigarettes. This does NOT mean that the product is safe, or that is claim is true. Consumption of tobacco is injurious to health and addictive. The brand is American and founded in the year 1982 by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, by Bill Drake. It was privately owned until it was bought by Reynolds American in 2002 for USD 340 Million, which is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT), the second largest tobacco company in the world.
What are the popular variants of Golden Virginia?
The Golden Virginia Green (The Original), also known as just ‘G V Original’, that comes in a 50g tobacco pouch is the most popular variant. It is owned by Imperial Brands (formerly known as Imperial Tobacco Group – the founder of Imperial Tobacco of India, which is now called ITC). Golden Virginia is made in Nottingham, England. It holds a 14% market share of UK’s fine-cut tobacco market. The launch was in the year 1877, which is about 150 years ago. It is the highest selling hand rolling tobacco in UK, and is sold in over 35 countries worldwide. Golden Virginia Yellow, also known as ‘G V Bright Yellow’, is the second variant of the brand, and is also quite in demand, though not as much as the original. It is said to be a smoother variant and was launched in 2009. The belief by some smokers is that the brand, like American Spirit, has less preservatives, additives, burn accelerators, and is relatively more natural tobacco in comparison to pre rolled cigarettes. We are not making any such claim. In no way is anyone claiming that rolling tobacco of any brand/kind is harmless or non-addictive.
What are the popular variants of Drum rolling tobacco?
Interestingly, Imperial Brands, which owns Golden Virginia, is also the owner of the third most consumed hand rolling tobacco brand in India – Drum. It was founded in 1952, making it an older brand than GV. It was sold from Douwe Egberts to Imperial Brands in the year 1998. Imperial Brands is also the owner of Rizla rolling paper and Blue e-cigarettes. Drum Bright Blue is marginally more popular than Drum The Original. Both of these are available in India in a 50 gram pouch.
What are the popular variants of Amber Leaf tobacco?
This Virginia hand rolling tobacco brand is owned by the Gallaher Group division of Japan Tobacco International (JTI is supposedly the world’s third largest tobacco supplier in the world). It is mild to medium in strength with a medium price point. It is one of the most popular brands in UK. In India, it is part of the top 5 hand rolling tobacco brands. It came into existence in the market in the year 1991 by Gallaher Group, a multinational tobacco company that was listed in the London Stock exchange. Gallaher Group was acquired by American Tobacco in 1974, and then in 2007 was acquired by JTI. In fact, in the UK, JTI trades as Gallaher Ltd. The Amber Leaf Yellow, which is the same as Amber Leaf Original, is the primary sku available to adult Indians.
What are the popular variants of Pueblo hand rolling tobacco?
The brand is owned by Pöschl Tobacco, a German company founded by Alois Pöschl in 1902. It is still a family run business, currently headed by Patrick Engels and Katharina Pöschl who are fourth generation entrepreneurs. They employ about 450 people in Germany and 950 people worldwide, with an annual turnover of over €730 Million in the year 2023. The company is a market leader in Snuff where it holds a 95% market share in Germany and 50% market share globally. In fine-cut rolling tobacco, they hold a 14% market share in Germany. Their products are sold in over 100 countries. In 2008, the company even launched pre-rolled cigarettes under the brand name of ‘Pueblo’, which it claims is free of additives. We at PEER Next do not make that claim. The Pueblo Classic or Pueblo Yellow and Pueblo Blue are the two main variants and both are equally in demand. 25 and 50 grams are the popular available size formats.
How do you compare pre rolled cigarettes vs rolling tobacco, and what is the cost saving?
Rolling tobacco is cheaper in comparison. There are two main reasons. Firstly, pre-rolled cigarettes have a higher rate of taxation in comparison to hand-rolling loose tobacco. Secondly, the cost of production of pre-rolled cigarettes is more since the manufacturing processes involved are more as compared to loose tobacco. Apart from cost saving, consumers who choose hand rolling tobacco over pre-cut cigarettes like the fact that one can personalize the tobacco amount for each cigarette, and they prefer the process of rolling their own cigarette, with their own choice of rolling paper and filters. Loose rolling tobacco brands are also believed to put less additives and chemicals in comparison to pre rolled cigarettes. However, we at PEER Next do not make any such claim.
Where all is loose rolling tobacco sold in India?
Rolling tobacco is sold in lakhs of retail points in India in metros and mini metros like Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and in smaller tier 1 and 2 cities like Meerut, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dehradun, Chandigarh etc. They are mostly sold in ‘paan’ shops which is primarily an unorganised segment. These small sized shops are omnipresent and have deep retail penetration. Generally, paan shops in premium locations are more likely to stock rolling tobacco brands. Modern trade outlets have also started stocking such products. In addition to brick and mortar, these products are sold online via instant delivery apps like Blinkit, Zomato, Dunzo, and in specialist online stores like PEER Next, which offers the best price, fast delivery, and 100% genuine products which are not stale/expired.
Is there a legal age to buy these products in India?
Sale of cigarettes/tobacco in India is governed and regulated by Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply And Distribution) Act, 2003. As per the Act, it is not permitted to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products to a person below the age of eighteen years. If you are 18 years or above, you can legally buy these products in India.
Do tobacco or cigarette rules vary from state to state like in the case of alcohol sales?
The sale of cigarettes and tobacco in India is governed by Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply And Distribution) Act, 2003 – often referred to but its abbreviation ‘COPTA’. The rules as per the act are applicable for the entire country. For instance, the age limit of 18 years as a limit is applicable to the entire country. COPTA contains all the rules for the category applicable in each of the states of the country.
What is the tax rate and hsn code for rolling tobacco in India?
The HSN code for cigarettes (Other cigarettes containing tobacco) in India is 24022090. This has a GST rate of 28%, and CESS of 36% plus INR 41.7 (for a pack of 10 cigarettes). The HSN code for cut tobacco or rolling tobacco is 24039970. This has a GST rate of 28%, and CESS of 14%. Rolling tobacco is also called roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco or hand-rolled tobacco.
Warning and Disclaimer
Consumption of tobacco products is injurious to health. We do not advertise or promote the sale of any kind of tobacco products. We do not sell to anyone below the age of 18 years and have a strict age verification system in place (involving checking the age with a valid government id). We do not sell in locations which are within 100 yards of educational institutions like schools or colleges. We support government’s efforts in curbing the use of tobacco products and in its regulation as per the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply And Distribution) Act, 2003. All our delivery agents are above 18 years of age. We charge all taxes on these products as per Government norms. All products and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them by PEER Next does not imply any affiliation/association with or endorsement by them.
