Should I keep snusing?

[Mikko]

I didn't post this in the Snus and Health section because my question doesn't regard health. Snus doesn't have any adverse effects on health based on my research so that isn't the reason I'm pondering this question. As a younger guy (I just turned 18 recently) who first experimented with cigars and then cigarettes and smoked them occasionally without inhaling, I'm wondering if I should quit snus now or continue snusing? Earlier this year when I was on a tobacco break for the summer (around 4 months) and I had no snus when I returned from holiday I started smoking cigarettes or again on weekends (maybe 5 cigarettes or 1 cigar on the weekends) but again without inhaling. I tend to do this when I dont have snus, I guess it's becaues I love the taste of tobacco in general but when I have snus I feel like never smoking again (but this feeling goes away if I stop snusing for a while). Now I have a long road ahead of me, pre-med university then medical school, so stress will be at its peak, do you think I should continue snusing to help manage my stress and use nicotine to keep me focused? I also have some anxiety problems and I find nicotine helps calm me down and, pardon me if this is too emotional, keeps me sane and free of sadness. I understand there was a 15 year old who had posted earlier about addiction and was not very composed in his reasoning, but for me, I have no problem personally with being addicted to nicotine and using snus because I love tobacco and I'm scared that I will probably turn to smoking without inhaling like I used to do after long periods of tobacco breaks and if i stop snusing and if I turn to smoking without inhaling after a few months of not inhaling I'm afraid I'd be tempted to inhale at some point. If it means anything both my father and my uncle have quit 30 year 1 pack a day smoking habits on the spot, so hopefully willpower runs in the family and if I wanted to quit someday I would be able to either cold turkey or with the aid of nicotine and tobacco free snus like Onico. To sum things up, should I continue my snus use or should I quit now?

[whalen]

I would quit............... up to you, consider the costs. If you have to use something, then snus. Actually i think snuff would be the ticket for you. Nicotine addiction is certain with any sustained tobacco use. Smoke kills.

[Mikko]

Costs are not a problem, I have a job that covers it. I don't use that much snus either, even when using it for a few months at a time I use about 3-10 portions/pris a week maximum. Snuff might not be for me, it seems a bit messy, might not be suitable when I'm working in a hospital/university environment and plus it slightly raises the risk for nasopharyngeal cancer. Considering this, should I still think about quitting?

[lxskllr]

That's really a personal decision. The expense over a lifetime can be moderate to high. You also have a chance of getting mouth issues like gum recession. There's real benefits to using tobacco, enjoyment being the obvious one. You're here to enjoy yourself, and you only get one shot at it. Is that worth it? Only you can decide.

I refuse to take the anti tobacco zealot's position of telling people not to use tobacco if they don't already use it. That may not be appropriate for the individual in question. That decision has to be made by the individual.

[clint404]

I can see someone smoking a cigar for taste but not cigs. They are the most foul tasting thing on earth. Sounds like to me you have an addictive personality so if you are going to do something let it be snus. And don't feel bad or beat yourself up for doing it.

[heders]

I would also quit, if you really feel like you can. As whalen says though; snuff might be an option. Nicotine has it's beneficial effects for sure, but the question you've got to ask yourself is if it's worth it.

I snus to keep me from smoking, as I quit smoking using snus, as almost everyone else here. I enjoy snus, but if I could go back in time, I never would have smoked that first cigarette that got me in to this addiction.

Nicotine aids concentration, but doesn't really relax you. Nicotine is a very strong stimulant, and the main reason you feel relaxed after putting a snus under your lip is because it removes the withdrawal symptoms.

[lxskllr]

I can see someone smoking a cigar for taste but not cigs. They are the most foul tasting thing on earth. Sounds like to me you have an addictive personality so if you are going to do something let it be snus. And don't feel bad or beat yourself up for doing it.

When I started smoking cigarettes, I never inhaled. I liked the taste. I'm not sure why I started inhaling them, but it was one of the worse decisions I've made in life :^/

[Mdisch]

None of us in here would openly endorse tobacco usage, and nor would I.
But if you consider quitting, you might aswell - unless you enjoy it as much as most of us do. Personally I hardly see any reason to quit snus usage, apart from the financial aspects of it. But it's a constant and a pleasure in life, so I won't stop.

Nonetheless, it is entirely personal.

[GoVegan]

When I started smoking cigarettes, I never inhaled. I liked the taste. I'm not sure why I started inhaling them, but it was one of the worse decisions I've made in life :^/

I started playing with cigs around age 12 or 13. Me and my friends would take one or two from our parents pack and then play with them after school. They were disgusting at first but I have to say I was hooked by age 15.

[Mikko]

I can see someone smoking a cigar for taste but not cigs. They are the most foul tasting thing on earth. Sounds like to me you have an addictive personality so if you are going to do something let it be snus. And don't feel bad or beat yourself up for doing it.

I guess Americans won't understand because they have FSC, but in Hong Kong my favourite cigarette was Dunhill, no additives so it tasted like the cigars I was used to. As for an addictive personality I wouldn't say so, more so a curious personality which would draw me back into smoking. I've taken breaks anywhere from 1-4months from all tobacco with no craving effects. But thats not to say I won't get addicted. I know for sure I'll be addicted to snus soon which is why I ask this question now. At the moment I'm just snusing to keep my mind off smoking, basically I'm staying ahead of the game, I switched to snus before I got to the inhaling stage because for me inhaling would be detrimental to my running performance (I run cross country on my school team) so I thought to myself "I might be safe now, not inhaling and such but it won't be long before I start to inhale so might as well switch to a safer product". But to answer the rest of you guys' posts, yes I do enjoy snus very much, it's even more enjoyable than the Cohibas I used to smoke, the complex flavours and essences just make it a very pleasurable experience and the fact that it's not really a 'guilty pleasure' makes it even better! As good as it is I also don't endorse it to my non-tobacco using friends, I also agree that if you are not addicted there is no reason to start and if you have no reason to use nicotine you shouldn't start either. But the fact that it regulates my stress, makes me happy when I'm sad, tastes great and controls my anxiety problems make me want to stick with using it.

[wa3zrm]

For the love of God man, stay away from the cigarettes at all costs! I was a smoker for 30+ years and now I have CAD to show for it! Snus was the ONLY thing to get and keep me off the cigarettes... nothing else worked for me. IMO, besides offering harm reduction, snus is far easier to quit than cigarettes. I can go for days on only one or two portions; I know, because I have done it.

Ideally, a nic free life is what you should shoot for. Like Whalen said, "I would quit... up to you, consider the costs. If you have to use something, then snus."

Stress is a part of everyday life... some days it is worse that others. The nic in snus and nasal snuff relieves stress and anxiety... and so does Xanax. The choice is yours. Some people on this forum have to use both. If you are able to beat stress and anxiety without the use of nic or drugs, then go for it.

Good luck.

[Mikko]

I guess I'll just try to keep my usage under control, ideally if I could stay at the 3-10 portions/pris per week like I am now that would be great. Although I havent had any snus since tuesday (wisdom teeth extractions) and I won't have any until my stitches out this coming tuesday, so far it's been fine with no snus, I can keep my stress under control without it but when an ex contacted me a few days ago, emotions started flowing and I had a minor anxiety attack, luckily it was nighttime so I just slept it off. As for Xanax I have tried it and it seems to impair my coordination, I ride a motorbike now so I can't have my coordination compromised. Plus dependence is an issue for Xanax, like all other benzodiazepines and honestly I'd rather have a nicotine addiction than a Xanax one.

[GoVegan]

I have to respect your decision for choosing snus over cigs. Just keep in mind that your 18 and nicotine will most likely be a lifelong addiction with no end in sight. I have quit nicotine for a year before and craved it every single day until I broke down and started using it again.

[Mikko]

I have to respect your decision for choosing snus over cigs. Just keep in mind that your 18 and nicotine will most likely be a lifelong addiction with no end in sight. I have quit nicotine for a year before and craved it every single day until I broke down and started using it again.

Thanks! It's definitely uncommon at my age, everyone has the "I'm young, I can worry about lung cancer later!" attitude, whereas in my case I'm quite health conscious and prefer to avoid harmful endeavours such as smoking or heavy drinking. At least during my 4 month break I didn't have any snus cravings, so it's good to see that it's less addicting than cigarettes, maybe due to the type of release of nicotine? I understand that this will be a lifelong commitment, but I also understand that snus will be the way of the future, with smoking in decline a smokeless tobacco addiction won't be uncommon. Even in the health care world I've heard of people telling me that a lot of residents or intern doctors will use dip to stay focused, I myself will be the odd one out with some General OP in my lip.

[lxskllr]

Ya know what my biggest problem with snus use is? Being exploited by the government, and financing their fraud, and control over the population. If anything were to get me to quit snus, that would be the most compelling argument. Health? Screw that. Life would suck if you really did everything that best for your body. As far as I'm concerned, snus is as safe as it needs to be for a happy life.