A New Snus Convert

[NJdrew]

I have been a smoker for the last 15 years and have tried to quit several times. Sometimes it would last a day, other times I would go almost a year. I now feel out of breath from doing simple things and am tired of it. This time, I decided I would find an alternative to cigarettes without quitting completely and I found my answer in snus.

After doing a minimal amount of research, I placed an order for some real swedish snus. After a couple more days of reading about it and browsing the different varieties, I got impatient and got some of the Camel stuff that is available here in the US. It sucked, but helped me cut down from a pack or more of smokes a day to just a few.

When I got my real snus, I started working through different varieties and revisting the ones I wasn't fond of and I am finding that as I get used to it, my tastes are already changing and some that I didn't like right away, I like more now. I have some more flavors/strengths coming my way, which I'm pretty excited about. I still have the urge to smoke, but it has only been a few days with the real snus and I am smoking so much less, I already feel like this has been a success! The information and reviews I have found here have been extremely helpful.

So I really just wanted to say hi and thank you all for the help already

[rob3640]

Welcome! I started a few years ago with no intention of quitting. I smoked a pack a day and dipped occasionally. I heard about snus and decided to give it a try. I slowly started snusing more than smoking and then just stopped smoking.

It really is a wealth of knowledge here. If you have any questions, I'm sure they will get answered quickly!

[deeanne59]

Welcome to Snuson NJdrew. You are right....your tastes will range all over the map for a while. Don't stress the smoking....have one when you feel like it, and also snus. The snus will win out in the end. You will find that you start snusing more and smoking less until you have totally converted over to snus.

It is good that you are getting a variety to try, to find the right strength and flavors that you like. Try to make sure that you get some extra sterks (extra strong) to help curb the cravings. When I first started snus, I wasn't using strong enough portions. My husband Sagedil encouraged me to go all extra sterks at first to kill the nicotine cravings. I started out chain-snusing until I got the level just right....now I have my own strength and flavor rotation set up.

You have a great first start there....and again, welcome to the forum!

:wink:

[shikitohno]

As I'm sure others on here will tell you, don't worry too much about the smokes. If you want one, smoke one. Eventually, you'll get used to the flow of nicotine you get from snus, and come to prefer it. Have fun, and try out all the different flavours you can. As you've noticed, your tastes will change over time, so if you find you dislike one flavour or really love another, give it a little time. Don't buy a roll right away of one you love now, as you might burn out on it, and be stuck with tons of portions that you don't want to use. If you dislike one, try it again in a month.

A lot of people on here also use nasal snuff for that little extra bit of nicotine when they want to avoid smoking, so if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, I'd recommend giving some a try. Personally, I like them, and use snus and snuff together all day. Welcome to the forum.

[NJdrew]

A lot of people on here also use nasal snuff for that little extra bit of nicotine when they want to avoid smoking, so if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, I'd recommend giving some a try. Personally, I like them, and use snus and snuff together all day.

I was actually just looking for information about nasal snuff. I'm not sure what to try first and I'm afraid to get a wide range in case I don't like doing it at all.. then I'd be stuck with a bunch of snuff and nothing to do with it as I don't know anybody that would do it. Any suggestions for something to try out?

[NJdrew]

It's interesting that I have smoked the same brand of cigarettes for years and never had any interest in really talking about it. With snus, I'm excited about experimenting with different types and it feels worth talking about. This is way better than quitting smoking the typical way... I actually feel like I'm gaining something rather than losing something. This is awesome already and it has only been a few days.

[timholian]

It's interesting that I have smoked the same brand of cigarettes for years and never had any interest in really talking about it. With snus, I'm excited about experimenting with different types and it feels worth talking about. This is way better than quitting smoking the typical way... I actually feel like I'm gaining something rather than losing something. This is awesome already and it has only been a few days.

I honestly couldnt have put it better myself.

[olderthandirt]

I was actually just looking for information about nasal snuff. I'm not sure what to try first and I'm afraid to get a wide range in case I don't like doing it at all.. then I'd be stuck with a bunch of snuff and nothing to do with it as I don't know anybody that would do it. Any suggestions for something to try out?

Many of the members here are also members over to snuffhouse.org, forum focused, well, on snuff!

One of the beauties of snuff is that it's similar to snus with respect to price. You can try a lot of different snuffs for very little cash. For a 1st go I'd suggest you avoid American Scotches or those designated as Toasts. Awfully fine and dry for a first go 'round.

Toque brands are all pretty easy to take and to get a feel for. Also the only vendor to offer free shipping worldwide, makes experimenting that much less expensive!

Make sure and get small tins if you decide to go for it. Save purchasing larger quantities for when you have found something that really works for ya.

Luck

[shikitohno]

Most of the Bernards and Pöschl snuffs make a solid intro, because they're relatively moist and coarsely ground. You'll probably want to check out Wilson of Sharrows, Toque, McChrystals and Dholakia snuffs as well, however they can vary widely in grind and moisture, so not all are kind to a beginner. I'll second the recommendation to check out snuffhouse.org, as it has a great deal of information on it.

[MojoQuestor]

Howdy, NJdrew. Congrats on finding snus. It's sure helped me. My cigarette habit had me feeling like crap--snus gave me back control of my lungs, and I will be forever grateful.

[tom502]

If you wanna try a nasal snuff, but are unsure if you'd like it, I recommend checking out your local tobacco shops, esp the cigar oriented ones, as they often carry Poschl and Ozona, and sometimes others. And just get one. I don't think I'd recommend an American scotch snuff as a 1st snuff, because they are very fine, more of a smoky tobacco essence, and not an easy snuff to use nasally, but they have their fans, and in many ways are similar to the European Toast style. I just randomly walking into a local cigar/tobacco shop, and he had a variety of Ozona and Poschl snuffs, and they are easy to use, almost always have a menthol, which many like, esp new users, and nice flavors.

[NJdrew]

A Quick Update

Just thought I'd share a quick update of how things are going. I got my first order of snus from BuySnus on Friday and was mixing that with a handful of smokes each day. Yesterday I only had one cig, it didn't taste very good and did nothing for me as far as nicotine goes. I had that single cigarette right before going to bed and I felt like crap from it this morning. Based on that feeling and the fact that I now have quite a variety of snus on hand, I really don't see me smoking today, or any time in the near future.

I figured this would take weeks or even months, but today will be day five since recieving my first order and I think snus has already won the battle. Knowing that can have a smoke without undoing the work that lead to quitting is a big mental part of it for me, so only time will tell but I may be smoke free as early as today!

The biggest problem I've had so far is the extreme amount of salt I taste in some of the portions I have been using. I know I will probably get used to it, but I have never been a fan of salt to begin with... I don't eat many salty foods and only add small amounts to food when I am cooking, never after a meal has been prepared. I have some general white (very salty) and some skruff (not as salty) and some of the northerner energy stuff (not salty at all, light sweet taste that I am really enjoying right now). Any recommendations for snus that is on the low end in terms of salt? Thanks.

[Snusdog]

NJ,

Congratulations mate and thanks for the update.

I too use very little salt and try to avoid it unless it is absolutely necessary for the recipe. I think there seems to be a lot more salt in snus than there really is since there is not a whole lot of (food) mass or other flavorings to counter the taste.

The good news is that you will adjust to the salt taste in snus in about two weeks. Give it time and before you know it, it will not be an issue.

Some brands do seem heavier to me on the salt taste (Gustavus is one that comes to mind whereas the Phantom line seems on the lower end). Now these are all los. I don’t use portions enough to give you a fair measure. Others here will be able to step in and speak more to the particulars of portions.

However, that said, I think the problem for most who have been at snus for a while is that we really don’t notice the salt anymore so our advice is either the extremes or from memory. Which is good news because it means that salt will in all likelihood be a non factor for you as well.

And one more thing……….the salt in snus has in not increased my salt usage in food AT ALL. I still use (or don’t use) the same amount of salt and food taste the same. So the marginal amount of salt in snus is not raising my salt threshold.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted


dog 8)

.

[Veganpunk]

Most of the Bernards and Pöschl snuffs make a solid intro, because they're relatively moist and coarsely ground. You'll probably want to check out Wilson of Sharrows, Toque, McChrystals and Dholakia snuffs as well, however they can vary widely in grind and moisture, so not all are kind to a beginner. I'll second the recommendation to check out snuffhouse.org, as it has a great deal of information on it.

Welcome to SnusOn. The above advice is what I would go by. The Poschl and Bernards are very good beginners snuff.

[NJdrew]

I broke down and added some snuff to a recent order from Northerner and it arrived today. I didn't really think it was going to be something I would enjoy, but I have to admint, this stuff is great! I got some ozona president and some ozona raspberry... both are very good

I have used them a couple times today and no sneezing, but I can definately feel them. Is that an indication that I am doing something wrong, or just that this was meant to be?

I haven't had a cigarette in almost two days but there were still some slight cravings... this knocked those right outta me. I can say I am definately done with the smokes. The snus, snuff and an occasional puff of my girlfriends e-cig if I feel I really "need" to smoke should keep me quite content. Thank you all for the advice and recommendations.