New to Snus - Out of luck soon in US?

[Sigg]

I'm on day three without cigarettes with the help of Camel snus and doing pretty well. After doing some research online about the superiority of the real Swedish snus, I've already placed an order for a top 10 test box. The Camel stuff is getting me by for the time being, but I'm anxiously awaiting something with a little more punch.

However, I'm already worried I may be a little too late to the snus game after reading about the new H.R.1676 PACT Act that's about to hit the Senate for vote. It seems to me that if Congress gets their way, online tobacco purchases will soon be a thing of the past. I've checked and Camel is my only choice here locally, and I'm afraid that won't cut it once I've had some of the real stuff.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1676

Which brings me to my questions - How worried are the rest of you US snus fans? How are your preparing for this possible/upcoming cutoff?

Any other advice/tips for a snus beginner are also welcome!
By the way, love the forum - I've learned so much in the past few days!

[sagedil]

It has been discussed ad nausiam here. But finally, we seemed to have calmed down and now are largely following my advice. Just sticking our heads in the sand, thank you very much.

Look, who knows what in the he** will happen. We can't stop it, so instead will deal when we have to. Hopefully, soon, there is more Swedish snus here. In the mean time, I have found at least one person local who sells a few Generals, so worst case, I do that.

But until it is, why stress what we can't control?? I use, I have about a 4 month supply on hand (Not because, just what I have done for over a year). So plenty of time to figure out next step should it come from that??

Have you tried Swedish snus yet?? If not, pick up the Top Ten tryout box from Northerner, a great first step for any newbie. Also, be prepared to not like Swedish much at first use. *Some* do, but many are thrown off by the salt. Takes about 7 -10 days for body to get acclimated to salt, for you to even begin to taste what snus should taste like. So be patient in the beginning, keep snusing, and it will just get better and better.

And welcome to Snuson btw.


EDIT -LOL, I love it when they take my advice before I even give it.:lol: :lol:

[spirit72]

Like Sage said, I really wouldn't lose a lot of sleep over this.

The FDA having regulatory power over tobacco won't be all that different then the Swedish government having regulatory power over tobacco there--and we've actually come to see that as a Good Thing in some ways, like knowing what is actually IN the can of tobacco, and knowing that all ingredients are approved additives. It is not going to be banned, simply because government at the Federal and State governments make far too much money in tax revenue from tobacco to let it happen.

Even if PACT passes and becomes law in its current form, the worst that will happen is that you may be limited to Swedish Match brands(Joakim and Markus from SM have let us know that they are launching that line in the US), and you may have to go to a physical retail outlet to get it, and pay tax out the wazoo like we're NOT doing right now.


Oh yeah, and welcome

[tom502]

I also think IF something happens to halt online orders(which will close up small business, create more unemployment, and affect the Postal service too), it won't just be a "boom" overnight, and there will be timeline before anything goes into effect.

[Veganpunk]

Yes, don't stress it too much. The majority of us are keeping a low profile, and watching. I truly believe that somehow we will still be able to get snus.

Oh, and welcome to snuson!

[Sigg]

Thanks for the replies/welcomes so far guys, and sorry if this is a topic that has already been beaten to death. I'm still new and haven't had a chance to dig much past the first couple of pages of each sub-forum.

I won't stress too much since I haven't even had my first taste of Swedish snus at this point. Who knows if this will even be an issue for me by the time it's enforced (which could still be a good while). I guess I just have a case of beginner excitement and planning ahead is just part of my personality.

I'll just go with the flow and stay optimistic that the US market may begin to embrace these products in the future. I know it's still tobacco but they need to realize that anything that helps to get people off cigarettes is a good thing - go HarmReduction campaign! I know the Camel portions are considered a weaker product but it has been subduing my nic cravings pretty well. The hardest thing so far is breaking the physical motions of going out for a smoke.

Since I have a topic started:
I've already ordered a top 10 mix from Northerner (original and whites). Is white generally the way to go if you want to make your portions last the longest throughout the day?

[Veganpunk]

Dude, It doesn't matter how many times a topic has been beat to death, we will still answer it. I know I must have read Sage's story 100 times before I first posted, and 100 times after. It's cool. And with the smoking thing. If you can switch to snus and drop 100% the smoking, you kick ass! But if you happen to drink on a Friday night, and light up it's cool to. Basically don't sweat the no smoking. With snus, it will happen. I can't say 100% that you'll quit, but I can guarantee that you won't smoke as much. Once I smoked because i had to, now I smoke when I want to. I can go days without even think about a cig. You will find yourself reaching for that can more and more.

[sagedil]

Yes, whites, as they don't run much, generally can last a lot longer. With regulars, I have made it far if I can last 45 minutes. I routinely can keep a white in for an hour and half or more.

Preference is an individual thing. I posted a poll a few days ago, and it's mostly split 50/50 in preferences, with a few who have no preference at all, use both all the time.

And what others have said. This is a unique place. NEVER don't ask any question you have. Sure, I have seen some 1000 times. But I will take all the time necessary to happily answer it the 10001st time.

All I ask in return. As you do this a bit more, help the next person who comes in behind you. In so many ways, folks who have been using 1 - 2 months, are the most important folks here. They remember best what the transition was like, and can often best help that next generation.

So I hope you stick around and play with us. We never bite. Well, except for PP. :wink:

[spirit72]

I know the Camel portions are considered a weaker product but it has been subduing my nic cravings pretty well. The hardest thing so far is breaking the physical motions of going out for a smoke.

Since I have a topic started:
I've already ordered a top 10 mix from Northerner (original and whites). Is white generally the way to go if you want to make your portions last the longest throughout the day?

Camel is weak nicotine-wise, but it's not a bad place to start if you're just taking interest. I used Camel Spice for my first month or two, and if they still made that flavor, I'd still use it now and then. Don't care much for either the Mellow or Frost varieties, and it's too sweet for me anyhow.

As far as the smoking issue, most people find that using snus preempts smoking over time, and you won't even necessarily notice it. For myself, I stopped smoking habitually within a week of starting snus. But in my case, I had already made the decision to quit smoking, and in fact had quit cold turkey for a few months at a time.

White portions are a good place to start with authentic Swedish Snus. I started with whites, decided soon after that I liked originals better, and have recently decided I actually like whites better after all. But I like lössnus most of all.

[spirit72]

We never bite. Well, except for PP. :wink:

And he bites pretty hard. Or, so I'm told. :shock:

[zmanzero]

Sigg, like everyone else said, don't sweat the small shit. stay on the snus instead of the cigs, it's better for you. when or if the heavy hands try to control this snus we'll deal with that then.

*mutters about the government's ignorance and shuffles away...*

[paulwall9]

PP, BITES HARD AS S***! I am missing my middle finger on my baking hand!

[Jason]

Actually, most of the time PP is telling people to bite him... :P

[paulwall9]

That is a very very true statement!