Hello fellow Snusers,
At this point I have been using Sweedish Snus for approximately 3 wks and am up to about 3-4 (8mg nic) portions/day. I have ran through the medical journals and although siting a few where oral/throat cancer is increased most cannot note a statisically significant incidence of malignancy in snus users.
There is a slight increase in BP due to the nic although does not seem to increase cardiovascular risk (except in one study). There is a doubling in the risk for pancreatic cancer relative to controls, which btw, is a beast of a malignancy, however even with this increase the incidence per 1000 is still quite small.
To my knowledge there does not seem to be a very probable risk of tooth loss, though it should be noted that most studies did not list this as a primary or secondary outcome. There is a potential for gum recession although it seems to be relatively mild if portions are alternated and oral hygeine maintained.
The risk of irritation of the gums can result in snus induced lesions which while characterized as leukoplakia, do not seem to be correlated to development of oral cancer in site of Snusing.
Personal experiences gathered in the past few weeks from this forum have been enlightening and overall positive. Some mention that it is just as difficult to kick snus as cigarettes, while others say they can go for days with out picking up a tin where this was next to impossible with smoking.
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And now for my history:
I have never really been able to inhale cigarettes comfortably. I do not have asthma but the smoke does irritate my lungs. I am a big fan of hookah and have a very nice one in my apartment. I like clove cigarettes for the flavor though the nic is absorbed orally as I do not inhale. I really enjoy cigars usually of the maduro type and mostly of the churchill variety as this is the best bang for your buck.
I smoke cigars during poker sessions at bars until recently when the ban went into effect in DFW. I would smoke hookah whenever there were enough people at my apartment such that an enjoyable session could be facilitated. I also have a few pipes and smoke tobacco from these occasionally as it is a very cheap form of smoking.
Overall I would say that I smoke between 2.5-4 times per week with an average nic intake being approx. I large cigar (absorbed orally) or one 30-45 minute hookah session (absorbed through lungs).
Given this weekly usage I have not found myself "addicted" to nicotine. Every time I lift a cigar or pick up any form of tobacco however I always think in the back of my mind that there is some inherent and altogether avoidable risk that I am taking as my body absorbs the toxic insult.
--------------------------------------------------------------
After serious thought and outside perspective from my gf I have decided that I will be a regular snuser and accept the risks and addiction involved. I snus on a daily basis and it is only a matter of time before my brain chemistry becomes rewired and this moves from a pleasure to a Vitamin required for function.
Going into the health profession the usage of nicotine is frowned upon (to say the least) and I will spend my career advising patients whether as a family medicine doc or a heart surgeon that Smoking and nicotine most likely played a role in the given pathology and that it is quite detrimental to health. However, doctors are humans not saints and a great many of them do not practice what they preach. As an aside, there was a famous pediatric heart surgeon who gave up smoking as it is not compatible to operating all day in the OR and would frequently chew on nicotine gum during his procedures. No one seemed to care though as he was just that damn good.
Snus is very discrete, highly enjoyable, and the risks are far smaller than alternative tobacco vices. In fact I have less concern popping a few snus each day than smoking tobacco few and far between during the week.
I also gave up drinking four months ago in order to have more time to study and live a more balanced life. The decision to become a regular snuser, slip into the addiction of nicotine/and accepting the enjoyment it brings to my life has been carefully thought out through multiple avenues.
I believe I am making a clear decision and if anyone, anyone at all has any comments regarding this post I would very much appreciate them.
I have always been a very cautious person, except for the one time I let myself go and decided to take up motorcycling. I broke my leg within a few months (not even going fast or doing anything cool) and will never touch a bike again. All in all this is a big choice for me and it has not yet become a one way road though I believe after lots of consideration it is a path I am willing to take.
After all, I will be spending my twenties with my face in a book and paged/woken up in the middle of the night to care for others. This has been my choice I love it and would not have it any other way. However,
whats life without vice?
At this point I have been using Sweedish Snus for approximately 3 wks and am up to about 3-4 (8mg nic) portions/day. I have ran through the medical journals and although siting a few where oral/throat cancer is increased most cannot note a statisically significant incidence of malignancy in snus users.
There is a slight increase in BP due to the nic although does not seem to increase cardiovascular risk (except in one study). There is a doubling in the risk for pancreatic cancer relative to controls, which btw, is a beast of a malignancy, however even with this increase the incidence per 1000 is still quite small.
To my knowledge there does not seem to be a very probable risk of tooth loss, though it should be noted that most studies did not list this as a primary or secondary outcome. There is a potential for gum recession although it seems to be relatively mild if portions are alternated and oral hygeine maintained.
The risk of irritation of the gums can result in snus induced lesions which while characterized as leukoplakia, do not seem to be correlated to development of oral cancer in site of Snusing.
Personal experiences gathered in the past few weeks from this forum have been enlightening and overall positive. Some mention that it is just as difficult to kick snus as cigarettes, while others say they can go for days with out picking up a tin where this was next to impossible with smoking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
And now for my history:
I have never really been able to inhale cigarettes comfortably. I do not have asthma but the smoke does irritate my lungs. I am a big fan of hookah and have a very nice one in my apartment. I like clove cigarettes for the flavor though the nic is absorbed orally as I do not inhale. I really enjoy cigars usually of the maduro type and mostly of the churchill variety as this is the best bang for your buck.
I smoke cigars during poker sessions at bars until recently when the ban went into effect in DFW. I would smoke hookah whenever there were enough people at my apartment such that an enjoyable session could be facilitated. I also have a few pipes and smoke tobacco from these occasionally as it is a very cheap form of smoking.
Overall I would say that I smoke between 2.5-4 times per week with an average nic intake being approx. I large cigar (absorbed orally) or one 30-45 minute hookah session (absorbed through lungs).
Given this weekly usage I have not found myself "addicted" to nicotine. Every time I lift a cigar or pick up any form of tobacco however I always think in the back of my mind that there is some inherent and altogether avoidable risk that I am taking as my body absorbs the toxic insult.
--------------------------------------------------------------
After serious thought and outside perspective from my gf I have decided that I will be a regular snuser and accept the risks and addiction involved. I snus on a daily basis and it is only a matter of time before my brain chemistry becomes rewired and this moves from a pleasure to a Vitamin required for function.
Going into the health profession the usage of nicotine is frowned upon (to say the least) and I will spend my career advising patients whether as a family medicine doc or a heart surgeon that Smoking and nicotine most likely played a role in the given pathology and that it is quite detrimental to health. However, doctors are humans not saints and a great many of them do not practice what they preach. As an aside, there was a famous pediatric heart surgeon who gave up smoking as it is not compatible to operating all day in the OR and would frequently chew on nicotine gum during his procedures. No one seemed to care though as he was just that damn good.
Snus is very discrete, highly enjoyable, and the risks are far smaller than alternative tobacco vices. In fact I have less concern popping a few snus each day than smoking tobacco few and far between during the week.
I also gave up drinking four months ago in order to have more time to study and live a more balanced life. The decision to become a regular snuser, slip into the addiction of nicotine/and accepting the enjoyment it brings to my life has been carefully thought out through multiple avenues.
I believe I am making a clear decision and if anyone, anyone at all has any comments regarding this post I would very much appreciate them.
I have always been a very cautious person, except for the one time I let myself go and decided to take up motorcycling. I broke my leg within a few months (not even going fast or doing anything cool) and will never touch a bike again. All in all this is a big choice for me and it has not yet become a one way road though I believe after lots of consideration it is a path I am willing to take.
After all, I will be spending my twenties with my face in a book and paged/woken up in the middle of the night to care for others. This has been my choice I love it and would not have it any other way. However,
whats life without vice?
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