Naswar (also known as Nass or Niswar) is a type of dipping tobacco, made from fresh tobacco leaves, calcium oxide (chuna), and wood ash. It is consumed most in the Pathan diaspora, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and also in Sweden, Norway.
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Naswar is held in the mouth for 10 to 15 minutes. If it is chewed it produces a bad taste in the mouth. Usually, the consumption varies but mostly people take it on an hourly basis.
It is primarily used in Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Sweden and India.[1]
It is predominantly used by members of the Pashtun ethnic groups.
Sun and heat-dried tobacco leaves, slaked lime, ash from tree bark, and flavoring and coloring agents are mixed together. Water is added and the mixture is rolled into balls.[2]
Nass: tobacco, ash, cotton or sesame oil,[3] water, and sometimes gum.[4]
Naswar, niswar: tobacco, slaked lime, indigo, cardamom, oil, menthol, water.
In November 2006 an editorial in the newspaper Daily Times (Pakistan) caused some controversy over its allegedly biased representations of Pashtun predilection for naswar. [5]