The snus that's easiest on the throat?

[snafie]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a long time and finally joined up today. It's great to meet you ... virtually, at least.

I need some expert advice. I've been smoke free for 4 weeks thanks to snus and haven't missed the sticks at all. I'm loving snus!!! The main reason I quit (besides health) was the fact that I sing in a vocal group, and cigarettes were killing my breath and my vocal range. That's all coming back now, thanks to snus.

Because of the singing I'm looking for the "easiest on the throat" snus I can find. So far the best I've found are at 2 opposite ends of the strength spectrum - General Onyx and Mini Mint (with General White Mini around as a change of pace from the mint, although they're a bit harsh considering their size). I'll pop an Onyx with the morning coffee and after dinner; the rest of the day I'll alternate minis.

The Onyx is very easy on the throat, almost buttery - by far the best I've found, although I don't need an 11mg nic hit every time I snus.

I prefer white portion, don't mind trying new flavors or sticking with plain tobacco.

Any suggestions on what I should try next?

Thanks, and it's great to be here!

[chadizzy1]

This recently happened to me, I was sick, and Vegan suggested Catch Eucalyptus, so I popped open a can of that and used it while I was sick and it did the trick! The menthol was a great help.

[Karanya]

**In general** my experience has been that Swedish Match white portions are easiest on the throat. White portions because there's less drip.. as for why Swedish Match products, I have my theories on that (more consistently high pH, more nicotine actually absorbed rather than swallowed, less throat irritation).

--K

[MojoQuestor]

Hi Snafie. I sing too, and snus has helped me with smoking, like you.

Long-term, you might not want to think of snus as a 'cough-drop'. I don't have a definitive answer, but in general (no snus pun intended), the less additives (flavors) the better, probably. Ettan and Grov might be good. I wouldn't shy away from bergamot flavors such as General. I use these lot and I can say my singing and range have definitely improved since I've been off the cigarettes. In the end, your own experimentation might be the best thing.

I would be leery of menthol:

The cooling 'effect' of menthol are not real; it stimulates your receptors in a similar mechanism to that which makes chillis feel hot, and makes your brain think you are breathing better. In fact, many laryngologists recommend avoiding menthol as it has irritating effects. If you have been sucking menthol sweets, use honey and lemon warm water instead; there is even research evidence that this is preferable to other treatments.

http://www.rrcs.org.uk/MembersSite/FactOrFiction.htm

[chadizzy1]

The cooling 'effect' of menthol are not real; it stimulates your receptors in a similar mechanism to that which makes chillis feel hot, and makes your brain think you are breathing better. In fact, many laryngologists recommend avoiding menthol as it has irritating effects. If you have been sucking menthol sweets, use honey and lemon warm water instead; there is even research evidence that this is preferable to other treatments.

http://www.rrcs.org.uk/MembersSite/FactOrFiction.htm

Interesting! I've never heard that before.

The only "bad" thing I heard was when I was a smoker, EVERYONE said, "Hey Chad, smoking menthol, maaaan, it has fiberglass in it - it will cut up your lungs and you will die!"

But that's about it.

[MojoQuestor]

{snip stuff about menthol}

http://www.rrcs.org.uk/MembersSite/FactOrFiction.htm

Interesting! I've never heard that before.

The only reason I have is because I've talked to a number of singers over the years.

The only "bad" thing I heard was when I was a smoker, EVERYONE said, "Hey Chad, smoking menthol, maaaan, it has fiberglass in it - it will cut up your lungs and you will die!"

But that's about it.

I always heard that too, well, what I heard was that it makes "crystals" in your lungs. I kind of doubt it, but I still mistrust menthol. Sage saying that menthol snuff will clog up your nose comes to mind, too.

As it happened, I wound up not liking to smoke menthol, anyway. I've always kind of preferred "just tobacco", although I gotta say the bergamot snus and the LD Salmiak have changed my thinking a little.

[blotgode]

I surely agree with MQ...use snus with "natural" taste and try out different brands to find the right snus that would be suitable for you.....

menthol and mint makes me hoarse, but that´s me....

[sagedil]

Welcome to Snuson snafie

I would suggest you give LD White a try. I woulda suggested Retro but....

One of the things I suspect makes an all day snus for me is the least irratation. But play around.

Oh, and LD Black, even smoother than that Oynx.

[GENERAL BILLY]

I would recommend 01 and 02. I got half a roll of them and thought they were just ok but when I had a sore throat I switched over to them and the no drip was perfect for protecting my throat.

[sagedil]

yeah, same as any white. :wink:

[tom502]

I always sing with a snus in, I just use whatever, it hadn't bothered me.

[MojoQuestor]

I always sing with a snus in, I just use whatever, it hadn't bothered me.

Yeah, same here. I broke into some Taboca strong minis, though, and I'm gonna try them out on the next gig.

I'd use Thunder minis, but I just don't think I'm a Thunder fan.

I won't be surprised if I just end up using whatever I normally do. I kind of like the idea of using minis for gigs, though, and I think the Tabocas may just be the ticket.

[GENERAL BILLY]

yeah, same as any white. :wink:

No it is totally different from a white because it uses super secret technology and.......alright it is basically the same as a white.

[lxskllr]

Oh, and LD Black, even smoother than that Oynx.

I second the LD Black. It's licorice, so you have to like licorice.

[MojoQuestor]

I'll second the second on the LD Black. It's just so awesome.

The link I posted (and only scanned) mentions lemons, and from what I know (which isn't tons) I somehow think that bergamot would be at least neutral, if not a win for a singer. Anyhow I love bergamot snus so I'm totally biased. But based on all the input so far, and my own biases, I'd say things to try would include

Ettan white
Grov white
General white
LD white
01, maybe 02
Granit white

Maybe also Knox white, Kronan white, and Röda Lacket white (just because it's so delicious ). Also, I don't think that one would *have* to use white portions. I'm not so sure myself that drip is that big of a deal. And, when one is not singing, I don't think lös should be banned by the vocalists' union. I use it--not while singing, however, at least not in public--at least not most of the time

I've looked around a little for info on the effects of snus on the singing voice, but haven't found a great deal. All I can say is my range, breath control, etc. is much better when I'm not smoking. I cannot say what the difference would be if I did not use tobacco at all. As far as I can tell, the effect of snus on my voice is, at most, minimal.