Beedies

One of the major industries in Vellore is the production of beedies, which are thin, often flavored, cigarettes made of tobacco wrapped in a tendu leaf, and secured with colored thread at one end. Beedies, though smaller than regular cigarettes, produce three times more carbon monoxide and nicotine, and five times more tar. Tobacco content in beedies is 10-20% and, unlike regular cigarettes, beedies do not contain added chemicals.

(Remember those horrible clove cigarettes that were popular back in the 80s? Those were beedies.)

Beedies are bad for your health, but an important source of income for many people in India. Beedi-rolling is a cottage industry and is typically done by women in their homes. The process of rolling a beedi is similar to that of a handmade cigarette.

Samad and Goat Mark are the two big brands locally; their billboards used to be found prominently throughout town, but have gotten much more rare. This is one of the remaining billboards in the main market.