New Use Advice Wanted-I ordered some Snus :-)

[Joe234]

OK, thanks

I may have to make a run to Rich's so I can start now.

[Joe234]

I got my shipment last Tuesday, a week ago.

I was smoking a pack of Winstons daily.
Last Tuesday I smoked 4 cigs. Wednesday
3 cigs. Thursday 2 cigs. Now I haven't had
a puff of tobacco in 5 days! I didn't plan it
at all this way. I continue to tell myself I can
smoke if I want to.

I do have a medical card and smoke Willie
Nelson's medicine so there is still some
hand habit compensation. I want to get
a vaporizer. I am tired of two smokes.

I'm not sure how this will turn out. :P

I have used mostly General regular portions
and some Skruf starks. I have only my 3rd
Skruf Xtra Start under my lip right now.
I think I'm buzzing.

I am still going through missing the cig direct fix.
Whatever? Something is happening perhaps


--

[Snusdog]

You might want to try some nasal snuff along with snus. It is my understanding that snuff hits more like a cigarettes. Thus it might be a good supplement to snus for you. Toque is an excellent brand to start with as is Poschl. Both tend to be user friendly. Furthermore, Poschl seems readily available in most cigar and pipe stores while if you order directly from Toque the shipping is free.

http://www.toquesnuff.com/

You might also want to check out snuffhouse.org. for a lot of good info on snuff as well as our own section of the forum "Other Tobacco Products"

[tom502]

Toque is a great snuff, though I recommend to nasal snuff curious people to check their local tobacco and cigar shops, as they sometimes sell Ozona and Poschl, and while not everyone likes menthols, I found for me, they were immediately enjoyable and easy to use.

[highanddry]

I got my shipment last Tuesday, a week ago.

I was smoking a pack of Winstons daily.
Last Tuesday I smoked 4 cigs. Wednesday
3 cigs. Thursday 2 cigs. Now I haven't had
a puff of tobacco in 5 days! I didn't plan it
at all this way. I continue to tell myself I can
smoke if I want to.

I do have a medical card and smoke Willie
Nelson's medicine so there is still some
hand habit compensation. I want to get
a vaporizer. I am tired of two smokes.


--

I find a snus goes better with a bowl than a cig does even. I still have the occasional cig after the smoke, but I dont need it anymore, I prefer snus now as the buzz will keep your other "buzzes" going far more evenly and without the extra inhalation. Snus/Vape combo is the best!

[Joe234]

Well. I'd rather not use the snuff along with it.

Can you tell me how the nicotine levels compare to cigarettes
as far as how much a portion of snus delivers to the body vs
cigs? Aren't cigs an average of 1.5 ml of nicotine per smoke?
How do these various snus portions compare having levels of 8 ml,
11 ml, and 14 ml? I seem to like the stark 11 ml.

Also what is the method of preparation and insertion?
I have been flattening out the bags and putting them
in my mouth to wet them a few seconds, flipping
them around, and then shoving them under my
upper lip. I've been leaving them in for about an hour
now. I more of the over a can and a half of 8 ml
and one can of starks. I've only used 3 portions
of xtra stark. I seem to lose my appetite

thanks!

[WickedKitchen]

From what I've read you absorb about 10-20% of the nic in a snus. (8mg yields .8 to 1.6mg, etc.) This, of course, depends on several factors. A snus has about the same amount of nic as a cigarette. I always felt like it was more because when I smoked I could crave a cigarette 30 minutes after I had one and that didn't happen w/ snus. Still doesn't. Yeah, I keep a portion in for an hour but then when I take it out I don't crave one for at least 3 hours even though I don't usually let that much time lapse before another one. I feel the nic stays in your blood longer w/ oral use too.

The amount of surface area that comes in contact with your mouth is first and foremost. If you flatten and spread it there's more surface so there's more nicotine, especially at the beginning of the snus. Also, if you play with it and roll it around you'll sort of renew the nicotine-laden surface thus getting more. The length of time you keep it in also plays a role for obvious reasons.

The nicotine in snus takes much longer to get that comfortable level in your blood. Cigs are almost instant compared to snus which takes 5 or 6 times as long. Hit an extra sterk and you'll feel it faster but it still takes time of acclimate to that sort of nicotine. I would also suggest trying to use only snus for a few days. Start with one day and see how it goes.

If you enjoy snuff then it would be plausible that you prefer the quick fix of nic. Fine powder...more surface area...seems stronger.

[timholian]

Wow, thanks for the info WickedKitchen. Awesome

[Joe234]

I would also suggest trying to use only snus for a few days. Start with one day and see how it goes.

What did you mean by this? Last time I had a cigarette was last Thursday. It's been a week.

[Snusdog]

As an x dipper (and not an x-smoker) I'm not sure how much help I will be to you. But here goes:

From what it sounds like it is not the nicotine level per say but rather the way that level is expressed in the body. In this regards, I think that WickedKitchen may have hit on something important. From what I understand of cigarettes the nic hits quicker and is gone quicker. Thus it is more of a peak and valley type effect. With snus it is more of a constant level. This may explain what you are feeling and may also explain why there is a period of adjustment for most smokers. Your body is getting used to a plateau verses the highs and lows from before. I think the important thing is to not stress about it and just let it work its course.

It sounds like you are doing really good and that time is all it is going to take. but that is just me. Our x smokers will have to jump in here and fill in the gaps and offer help that is actually worthwhile.

dog

[timholian]

Nicotine is an appetite suppressant, that why smokers that quit without a backup nicotine plan gains a little weight.
I put it in whatever spot I have a hankerin' for and leave it. I hear moving it can release more nicotine faster. (?)


Well, for me, the day I quit smoking I used about 9 portions throughout the day. I found that when I had a craving for a cigarette, and I mean a BAD CRACK craving, a strong snus after a few minutes would make the craving subside leaving me giddy almost. I didn't start with minis and I used at will (the 8 mg portions), its been 2 weeks and I haven't had a craving I didn't have the remedy for. My advise is to stick with using however you need for now (don't make yourself sick of course) and worry about a step down process later. I mean since we are told the nicotine levels of snus coming down to a "regular" snusing level will be ALMOST seamless. My two cents as a Ex-Smoker! lol

[WickedKitchen]

Oops. Thought you were still smoking a bit. Sorry.

[WickedKitchen]

What did you mean by this? Last time I had a cigarette was last Thursday. It's been a week.

Oops. Thought you were still smoking a bit. Sorry.

[Frosted]

You can say that again.

[Joe234]

Oops. Thought you were still smoking a bit. Sorry.

Ha, ha . no prob :-)

Thank you all. I'll get back to you.