White Ox

A White Ox packet, with the Australian graphic health warning

White Ox is a rolling tobacco available worldwide. In Australia it is widely available to purchase from licensed tobacco retailers and is imported by Imperial Tobacco (Australia LTD). Originally it was produced by Douwe Egberts in the Netherlands. In 1998 the "White Ox" brand was acquired by Imperial Tobacco when Douwe Egbert sold off its hand-rolling tobacco business. White OX tobacco still continues to be produced in the Netherlands and it is described on the packaging as a "Superior Dark Blend" of tobacco's. In the Australian market it was sold in 30 gram and 50 gram variants pouches. In March 2014 the 30 gram pouch was discontinued from sale and a 25 gram pouch introduced. The 50 gram pouch remains for sale.and the 30 gram pouch has been reintroduced

An Australian government quantitative survey of RYO smokers to "Determine Impact of Plain Packaging" found that "White Ox" tobacco was perceived by this cohort as being "extremely low appeal as a product", that was associated with "prison populations and homeless people"^[1]

Its name is shared with the name of the original store "De Witte Os" (English translation, 'The White Ox'), in Joure, the Netherlands opened in 1753 by Egbert Douwes and his wife Akke Thysses, founders of the Douwe Egberts company. ^[2]

White Ox tobacco is the standard issue tobacco in the state of N.S.W. Australia prisons, where it is colloquially known as "Boob Shit" or "Boob Weed."^[3]

Popular Culture

At the conclusion of the 1992 Vogel award winning novel PRAISE, by Andrew McGahan, the novel's protagonist uses his last $8 to purchase a pouch of White Ox tobacco.^[4] It was also referenced in the Australian YouTube series The Big Lez Show, with character Mike Nolan saying: "It's like smoking a White Ox no filter".

References