I smoked cigarettes for nearly 20 years. The last thing I would ever do is tell anyone to quit or otherwise give them a hard time about smoking. Recently, two people thanked me for introducing them to nasal snuff, and both said that they have since stopped smoking and now use nasal snuff exclusively. I didn’t pressure them to do anything in any way whatsoever. I merely let them sample various types of snuff when they asked about it. I did not insist that they try it. They asked me, so I was happy to sit down and explain the principles of harm reduction, the studies on smokeless tobacco use, as well as the various grinds, flavors and methodology of snuff-taking. I then sent them home with a smash box or two full of the ones that they liked the best. One of these people is a 58-year-old gentleman who was diagnosed with early stage emphysema. He said that he tried in vain for a year to quit the cigs cold turkey. He couldn’t, so he then tried the patch, the gum, etc. Of course none of it worked, as I’m sure we all know about firsthand. Despite knowing that the cigs were quite literally about to cause him to spend the rest of his life carrying around an oxygen tank, he just could not stop. A solid week of using nasal snuff got him off the cigarettes. He said that he has not touched a cigarette in four months, is now able to mow the yard and ride a bicycle, and that he, his wife and his doctor couldn’t be more thrilled. The other person is a university student in his mid-20s, who had been smoking heavily for the past 5 years. He at first found the idea of nasal snuff novel and faintly ridiculous, but is now an ex-smoker and proud snuff-taker. He said that he never even thinks about cigarettes anymore and, as a bonus, is saving a hell of a lot of money. “If they were truly serious about helping people quit smoking, they ought to be giving away snuff in the student union!” he said. Indeed… I am not taking credit for any of this. They were simply curious about – and initially rather amused over – my “strange habit,” and asked to know more about it and try it for themselves. I told them both that I appreciated their thanks, but they deserved all the credit; not me. Still, I am happy that I at least inadvertently helped them to find a far safer and more enjoyable alternative that they say has made a positive difference in their lives. So does anyone else have any similar stories?
Last Saturday I was at my friend’s house, and every time I go back home on break from university, I bring my collection with me so that he and two other friends can sample some. Initially we had decided we wanted to try snuff as a lark, and in my ignorance, I bought a tin of Cope snuff for the three of us. We used that for a little while several years ago, and then stopped. I picked up proper nasal snuff over the summer, and he happened to mention that he really wanted to try something like the Cope snuff again. The three of us now use quite a bit every time I go back, and my first friend’s brother has been around the last few times. He’s a couple years older than us, and smokes quite a bit. I gave him my tap box of Gawith Apricot last Saturday. He had wanted some to try and help him quit, because he really likes the menthols. I’ll see how he’s doing with that in about a month. Chances are, I’ll have to show him Nicotine Rush.
just snus just snus.
I tried to get my friend to quit smoking w/ snus. He didn’t like it much and said that it gave him heartburn. I can see if he were spitting because I started him off w/ regular portions. I broke out three different snuffs at a bar the at a bachelor party recently. everyone took a pinch and the reactions were comical but I don’t think that any of them found it pleasant enough to continue, let alone replace cigarettes with the stuff. I suspect it was because not one of them heeded the warnings. I got one w/ WE. Ha!!! He deserved it. The rest got nice Toques but that didn’t help the fact that they kinda thought it was gonna get 'em high so they tooted like Boston George himself. I sometimes talk to a smoker about it if the conversation leads to tobacco or if I get one of those special pinches that really hit the spot.
The guy that asked for some snuff from me ignores my warnings every time. I tell him to inhale gently, and he rails it. Fortunately, I’ve mostly given him moist, coarse grinds. Saturday, he went to try WoS SM Blue, and spilled some on his hand opening it. Rails it as usual and the reaction was priceless. “I like the smell a lot, but it makes me cry, this stuff killed me.”
I have sucessfully helped several individuals quit smoking…through the use of e-cigaretts…including myself. Snuff is my new passion which compliments my e-cigarette use. I have one fellow at work who is new to snuff…but seems to be enjoying it thus far!! 
The Wiz!
I will say that I have stopped smoking as a habit, but I still love cigarettes and occasionally break down and buy a pack (like the deck of unfiltered Pall Malls lurking in my desk). That being said, snus and snuff are now my go-to tobacco, and I’ve noticed the improvement in my sinuses and lung function. My grandfather smoked 3 packs a day and had emphysema as a result; I might enjoy cigarettes but I’d rather have one as an occasional treat than end up shackled to an oxygen machine and coughing like a naval howitzer first thing in the morning.
My younger brother still smokes and every time he’s with me he wants to try whatever flavor I have on me. I agree with the other posts-he has a tendancy to snort like a hoover vaccuum for some reason–why new folks do this, I don’t know? I may win him over eventually if he gets a good technique down. Also, he is impressed by the fact that I told him there is no place you cannot use snuff: work, school, church, sporting events, bars, home, etc. Some places require a little ‘slight of hand’ to get away with a sniff, but that makes it all the more enjoyable. While they’re outside smoking, kicking their feet around to stay warm, I’m staring out the window with a hot coffee and a full nose…sorry about yer luck!! LOL!!
Nope, but it wasn’t for the want of trying.
My dad had already long since stopped smoking when he first asked for a pinch of my snuff… Now he uses as much as I do if not more!
Oop. This IS a thread about getting others to stop; I should amend my earlier statement to say I DID try to get my brother interested, but no dice. “Too weird,” he said, “you enjoy your magic dust, there.” Ah well. The Fat Man will not insist.
@JamesS.: No need to apologize. Your post is fine. It doesn’t have to be about others. It’s all equally interesting and valid.
I’ve tried to get The Old Man interested, but no dice. He says if he chooses to quit smoking, he’ll just quit using tobacco. I think he’s kind of weirded out about putting something in his nose.
I’ve turned a few people onto snuff but oddly enough my experience has been that smokers seem to resist it the most. I’m always amazed at watching them inhale a lungful of hot, acrid fumes while telling me I’m crazy for sniffing powder up my nose. I rarely bother trying to convert smokers anymore.
I’ve gotten a few people to swutch to snus, but not to snuff yet. It seems that snuff is a little bit of a harder sell.
I have a few friends ask me for a pinch when they see me around, but they are not hardcore snuffers… As for conversions I try not to, when I had only one place to get snuff and it was a limited I didnt want others coming in and buying up what I used, Selfish of me I know!!!
Thanks Dave…Brilliance not so much as months of use and experience with e-cigs!! Rob!
I’ve given lots of snuff away and the most I have achieved is to have some smokers who like the odd pinch. The problem with snuff is that the first pinch is mind blowing and a lot of people give up at this stage. I, like a lot here, am a very heavy tobacco user - often the simple cigarette user is not and finds it too much to continue with? Maybe some of us are borm to use - my first dip/chew was hard work but I loved it, the first pinch of snuff blew me away but I still thought it was great. Maybe there is a tobacco gene. Kjoerup - well done my friend; you may have added years to their loves.
@Carol I know what you mean thats the biggest thing with the people I have talked about they think it is cocaine and I am giving them an illegal substance.
there is definatly presdisposition with tobacco use. It really effects diffrent people diffrently. Why some like my don’t want to and can’t quit some people only use on occasions.