Indulgences

1. வெற்றிலை

   veṟṟilai

   Betel leaf

   Usage

   The leaf used to wrap areca nut for chewing, sold in markets and outside eateries. Note that the areca nut chewed with it is a known carcinogen

2. பாக்கு

   pākku

   Areca nut

   Usage

   The nut chewed wrapped in betel leaf. It is an established risk factor for oral and throat cancer. Chewing turns saliva red, which is what the red stains on pavements are

3. புகையிலை

   pukaiyilai

   Tobacco

   Usage

   Tobacco as a leaf, including the chewing kind. Chewing tobacco carries the same oral cancer risk as areca nut

4. சிகரெட்

   cikareṭ

   Cigarette

   Usage

   A loanword from English. Indoor public smoking is banned and fined in both India and Sri Lanka. Many shops sell them one at a time

5. சுருட்டு

   curuṭṭu

   Cheroot / cigar

   Usage

   A tightly rolled bundle of cured tobacco leaf. The English word "cheroot" comes from this Tamil word, curuṭṭu, meaning "a roll"

6. மதுபானம்

   matupāṉam

   Alcoholic drink

   Usage

   The general word for alcoholic drinks. In Tamil Nadu retail sale is a state monopoly with limited outlets; Sri Lanka also restricts which shops sell it and on which days. Many restaurants do not serve it at all

7. பியர்

   piyar

   Beer

   Usage

   A loanword from English, also spelled pīr. In Tamil Nadu it can only be bought at the state-run shops (TASMAC)

8. டாஸ்மாக்

   ṭāsmāk

   TASMAC (state liquor shop)

   Usage

   Short for the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, the only retail outlet where alcohol can be bought in the state. The word is specific to Tamil Nadu and means nothing in Sri Lanka

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