I have no proof...but

[ctimb2002]

Can we all agree that we would not want to give snus to anyone who isn't already addicted to Vitamin N. I think there is a much lower instance of peer pressure to use this product over any other and the only reasoning behind it I can come up with is the fact that a lot of people who use snus are ex smokers and most snusers are more aware of vitamin N addiction. Thoughts?

[HK11]

Yea I wouldnt give it to anyone that was already addicted. Or maybe I would, they would just puke and I could laugh.

Smokers are a different story. I already gave away all my catch to smokers.

[mwood72]

I don't think I would as I wouldn't wish a nicotine addiction on someone that's never used it. Would probably prefer them to buy their own if they really wanted to try it.

[ctimb2002]

mwood...that actually brings up an interesting point. To what point would you go to discourage someone from actually buying snus or any other product. We all agree that snus is harm reduction, and if someone is bound and determined to use Nicoline for whatever reason would you still refuse snus. What is the breaking point?

I only post these as hypothetical because I find it interesting to think about. Anybody with personal stories perhaps related to this are most welcome to share.

[lxskllr]

I'd give it to anyone that asked with the recommendation not to start. It's up to people to live their own lives. They don't need me, or the government making decisions for them.

[mwood72]

mwood...that actually brings up an interesting point. To what point would you go to discourage someone from actually buying snus or any other product. We all agree that snus is harm reduction, and if someone is bound and determined to use Nicoline for whatever reason would you still refuse snus. What is the breaking point?

I wouldn't preach at anyone that wanted to try it as a new experience but I would probably warn them about how addictive I've found nicotine can be but at the end of the day let them make their own decision.

If someone really wanted to try nicotine between cigarettes and snus I would recommend snus hands down as it's far less harmful.

[sagedil]

We have had a few folks come here who weren't smokers. Folks here answered their questions, and definitely at least made people think about what they were doing, stressed that nicotine addiction WILL happen if these folks insisted on using snus.

But in the end, it's a personal choice. I started smoking when I was 9, so never really had a chance to make any kind of "informed" choice.

But no, I would never just give a snus to a non smoker. But I don't make it a habit to give any drugs to a non user.

[Soft Morning, City!]

I'd give it to anyone that asked with the recommendation not to start. It's up to people to live their own lives. They don't need me, or the government making decisions for them.

Same here. I've had friends want to try snus that were never addicted to nicotine. I just advise them of it's addictive potential and recommend they not get a habit before giving them a portion to try. They're adults, after all. They can make their own choices.

[pangloss]

I disagree. Do not consider myself a "smoker" in that I do not use on a daily basis however I have had significant exposure to tobacco in all night hookah sessions, or a humidor full of churchills.

The United States has provided enough scare tactics such that if you know the english or spanish language you are aware of the risks involved.

I have been sharing Snus with any "ever users" of tobacco, including those who smoke with me on the occasional basis.

[Kitabz]

If someone (smoker or non-smoker) asked to try one I'd oblige but if they were a never-smoker I'd highly recommend that they do not start.

Of all the crazy things I've done over the years, the one and ONLY true regret I have is starting smoking.

[spirit72]

Re: I have no proof...but

Can we all agree that we would not want to give snus to anyone who isn't already addicted to Vitamin N. I think there is a much lower instance of peer pressure to use this product over any other and the only reasoning behind it I can come up with is the fact that a lot of people who use snus are ex smokers and most snusers are more aware of vitamin N addiction. Thoughts?

As much as I enjoy snus now, I try not to have any illusions about it. I use it because I'm addicted to nicotine, and I'm addicted to nicotine because I started smoking.

All in all, I wish I'd never started using tobacco, and if I was 19 again, I would make a better decision. But I take some comfort in the knowledge that I'm using the least harmful version of it that I know of.

So yeah, I encourage other tobacco users to try snus as much as I can, and I discourage non-users as much as I can. Especially if they're young.

[Multinic]

I feel uncertain about all this. Sure, other things being equal, nicotine addiction will be expensive and is probably a bad thing overall. But there may be interdependencies with other things. For example, nicotine may make it easier to avoid too much food. Or it may make working or studying more tolerable. Given the minimal health risks associated with snus, I'm not sure it's worse than offering coffee to a never-drinker of coffee. But of course this only applies to smokeless, not smoked tobacco.

[Kvlt]

Yes I would if I wasn't afraid of raising it's popularity (taxes).

Snus is not a replacement for cigarettes.

[Roo]

+1 for sage. Nicotine is a beast that I am required to tame on a daily basis. For those of us who have been exposed to and addicted to it, snus is a wonderful alternative to cigarettes. But to start using tobacco at any time in one's life, to me, is extremely ill-advised. I would not give tobacco in any form at this point in my life to a non-user. But then, I don't really associate with anyone who has never tried it. Not by choice, just the nature of my friends. The only people who come to mind as non-users who are simply curious about the cool factor are children, or youngsters.

It's not worth it but if you look there are posts here by people who are looking for advice on starting snus, coming from no nicotine addiction to begin with. I myself gave at least one of those people what was perhaps an inappropriately harsh response, urging them to snap out of it and don't START using tobacco at such a young age. Nicotine addiction to me is a burden and a liability. I know it's maybe different for you sage... I went off my own thing there.

[NBSF]

I wouldn't give one to someone who wasn't a nicotine addict already. I agree people can make their own decisions, but refusing a non-addict emphasizes the "don't start!" point.