Snuff- second try

[rkh3]

30 yr smoker, quit two years ago and have been using snus for last 18 months. I am concerned that snus is making my gum recession worse. So, I thought I'd try snuff again. Ordered a few tins of Toque and have been using it since Monday night. Don't think this will work, stuffy constantly, crap build up in nostrils is discusting, nostrils hurt (wiping/blowing nose too much), and very tough to use while driving. At first the nic in snuff didn't cut it but that is better now.
Think I'll just use it to cut down on snus.

[Monkey]

For me, it took almost a year of practice to really get the hang of snuff. Now it is 95% of my tobacco intake.

I have tried a bunch, and certain ones stuff me up quick.....others not so much.

Oh, and definitely get a handkerchief for wiping. Cuts down on irritation.

[Ansel]

have you tried smoking a briar pipe? it's much healthier than cigarettes...

[precious007]

just to say my view on snuff...

whilst it's very "tasty" and comes in dozens of varieties...(I love a lot of them) you're right about the stuffy nose, and the crap building up in the nostrils ........ I'm not saying a handkerchief will not work but what do you do when the snuff sticks with your mucus and hardens inside your nostrils?

When I used snuff regularly I found so much build up crap in my nose in the mornings that I was barely able to pull out of my nose (and actually had to pull it out with all the hair that I have inside of the nostrils which was quite annoying at times)

have said it before... I do like snuff... but due to my bad sinuses it's impossible to use it that often.... and on the other side of things.... it has the highest levels of TSNA.

[LincolnSnuff]

Some snuffs may have higher TSNAs than snus, but you use a vastly smaller quantity of snuff. Think about 10g of snuff and 10g of los and how long it takes to use each of those.

[jaysalti]

I think, like anything else, snuff will not be for everyone. Even if you enjoy it, the body may limit the consumption. For me, I have little to no additional sinus inflamation than I would normally have. I keep finer grinds such as toque, hdt, and even crumbs in for an extended period of time with no real issue. Sadly, coarse grinds like abraxas require a quicker expelling. I just blow it out when need be, and wipe out the inner lining of the nasal passage with the hankie/kleenex. I also gently sniff a solution each night to help clear anything up higher out.

As far as tsna in snuff is concerned, a good read:

http://snuffhouse.org/discussion/895/tsna/p1

Either way, congrats on kicking the sticks. Life has been so much better since I said "goodbye" with snus.

[Darwin]

Rkh3 do try this. A snuffing method I call "Dab & Swipe" has been briefly mentioned in the snuff reviews section of the forum but I don't hear much about over the course of time. It works wondrously well for me but is not really for public use which is not really a problem since snuffing in public is not what most of us would do anyway. Take your index finder and moisten it with the tip with your tongue. Dab it lightly onto your snuff and then quickly swipe what adheres to your finger into one or both nostrils. Hold your breath as you do this and when it's done then breath out through your nose. Do a couple breaths out of your nose and then breath normally. This gets a small but more than adequate amount of snuff right where it needs to be, moistening it as you go which adheres it in place, and avoids virtually all the problems associated with snuffing in the conventional way. No sinus clogging, no throat burn, far less sneeziness, and most importantly it gets the nic right right where it needs to be for max absorption. You'll still get plenty of aroma enjoyment to boot.

I use this technique for toasts and American scotches and it works a treat. As big a nic hit as you can stand without most of the sneezy coughing throat-drippy drama experienced by new snuffers. Easier to see exactly how much you are getting as well. It's not exactly elegant but it sure works great. It's essentially the same technique required when using extremely moist snuffs such as Schmalzers but it works with anything or at least everything I've tried so far--and the drier and finer the snuff the better it works. Finally you can get the replacement nic you need to help control the smokes without the long learning curves frequently required by very ultra-fine high-nic scotches and toasts.

[rkh3]

I tried that method, Roderick at Toque suggested it. Didn't work, either nostrils are too small or fingers are too big! The snuff doesn't get in the nostrils but it does go everywhere else

[Monkey]

I agree with Darwin. The dab and swipe is an excellent method for using snuff.

Also, for me, it took some time for my nose to become "seasoned" to snuff. At first it was sore and brown dripping boogers.....now my nose handles it very well.

I think there is a learning curve/acclimation time with snuff that has to be gone through (at least for me) and at first it was the novelty, then the added kick to snus, and finally it is what I prefer to use. Everyone is different.

As for keeping a clean nose, I take a hot shower in the morning and again in the evening and use a neti pot whenever the need arises.....about twice a week. I blow when necessary and gently dust with the handkerchief after a snuff.

Also, try a moister snuff than Toque. Toque is an excellent snuff....Berwick Brown is my go to and Natural toast is getting reviewed in seconds after this post...... but I really got better at using snuff going with F&T Santo Domingo.....it is much moister and easier to get in the right place......but any moister coarser snuff may be a better bet to try your hand at. There is a wide variety of snuff out there....try a few different makers and textures to find what works for you.

[timoteo]

A suggestion to the OP,

If you are worried about gum recession, I would suggest using snus more like the Swedes and less like the americans.. i.e. in shorter intervals of time. A ciggarette only lasted 5-7 minutes and theyre like 10 bucks a pack in some places.. why should a snus last an hour or more? i ask you. I think 15-30 minutes should be plenty and do less harm.

[voodooman]

as for gum health, try los. i lost a lot of my gumline using american dip for about a year. portions cause some irritation. several years of los snus shows no further damage at all. very gentle on the gums.
for snuff clogs, i keep a small bottle of "saline nasal mist". helps clean things out, or moisten nostrils before a snuff. i also blow my nose about 5-10 minutes after a snuff; before it all dries up like cement.

[rkh3]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. Trying a bullet tonight and it seems better, he sent two empty ones to try.
From what in have read, los causes more recession than portions. Either way I am up for more periodontal surgery.

[spirit72]

Two Words: Neti Pot. Neti Pot. Neti Pot.

My wife had surgery on her sinuses this summer, and even her ENT surgeon recommended the use of one.

He was even impressed when I agreed with him and told him that I use one several times a week.


(I didn't have the heart to tell him WHY I use one, of course......)


I'll second the motion on the Briar Pipe as well. If you insist on smoking, that's the way to do it.

[rkh3]

I have no interest in smoking, haven't for over a year. It is actually amazing after smoking for 30 years, I tried a cigarette a couple months ago and threw it out after one drag, just nasty.
Been using a bullet today and it is much better, much easier driving, and more discreet. Though some other drivers must think I am doing coke.