I’ve been thinking about how I started using snuff without being hooked on nicotine. I didn’t start to quit smoking, I just found it so enjoyable that it has become the one form of tobacco I use daily. It says on the Mrsnuff not to use nasal snuff unless you are already addicted to nicotine, but I think it just says that to cover their asses. I can’t be the only one on this forum who started snuff with no prior daily tobacco use. I’m sure in snuff’s heyday that many people used it exclusively their whole lives. I don’t see why people who want to quit smoking should have all the fun nowadays, do you? (and I know quitting smoking in any way is not fun. I have nothing against people who took up snuff to quit.)

im in the same boat. didnt start snuffing to quit cigs. just to augment the pipe and cause it’s so damn fun!!

I smoke about three to five bowls in my pipe on the weekends and an occasional cigar, but I actually dislike the effects of nicotine and have a very strong reaction to it, I’m the same way with caffeine.  I can easily go the whole week and not need the pipe or the snuff.  I tend to take snuff a few times a day during the week, but never really find myself “jonesing” for it.  In truth, other than my Garrett Sweet & Mild, the nicotine in snuff doesn’t really seem to hit me that hard.

I have never smoked cigarettes. I did go through some cigar smoking phases though. I specifically started snuff and snus so that I could elevate my nicotine tolerance levels for pipe smoking. A lot of the pipe tobacco reviews had raves over pipe tobacco’s that where great but too strong. I took the bull by the horns and am glad I did. The habit of chain snusing is my only regret as It is a little expensive. I suppose I could make an effort to cut back some. That would be a good new year resolution. A good reason to snuff more anyway.

How did you discover snuff @TomStrasbourg and why on earth did you want to try it?

I was off of dip for two years and off off cigarettes for 10 or so…I forget how long.

I heard about Swedish Snus as being a safer alternative to cigarettes and dip and researched it. In my mind, based on the evidence, any risk associated with its use was negligible.

I really missed tobacco and made the decision to try snus with the possibility of renewing my addiction. I loved it and the addiction was happily renewed. From there people on other forums were discussing the joys of snuff. I looked into it and decided why not!

I am loving every minute of it. No regrets with any of my current tobacco choices. (That includes my pipes)

I ended up using snus way too fast, and the more I did, the more I wanted to do, it was too much of a finiancial drain. Snuff has its natural limitations.

Since Brits also seem to chew I am wondering just what the dirty Americav thing could be…

Buggery? Oh hang on, that’s supposed to be the British sin.

All-female nude mud wrestling?

Now you’re talking!

@hooked I tried snuff at an American Revolutionary war reanactment. I’m in a german unit and we pass around a tin of WoS since its the only brand that would have been around then thats still around. I smoked cigars on occasion before that, but when I tried snuff I loved everything about it.

I just started snuff out of interest with no prior tobacco use too.

Although I was a second hand smoker for years because my mother smoked, but I never have.

GreenCrass,

It’s funny to see tobacco bias from a tobacco user…or maybe it is another bias. No matter…and my snuff is mostly British

Vathek,

Why not? why eat? why drink? why have sex? Because we are only here for a brief time and as Oscar Wilde once said “we should try everything at least once”. Live life as if it were your last day! 

Well, Vathek, everything that you have posted here lately seems most peculiar to me. And I bet that I am not the minority opinion in that regard. Some people do like snuff for the flavor alone. Get over it, man.

My pleasure, GreenGrass. And yes, I am from the States and am a convert to snuff. Never was much of a cigarette smoker although I did partake socially when in college as did most back in the late 80s. Always had a fondness for the pipe and my affection for snuff grew out of that. Had some KB Original thrown in with an order of Full Va. Flake in the late 90s and the rest was history.

@GreenGrass Merry Christmas to you across the pond! Always nice to find a kindred spirit.

Who said they do not like nicotine?

I don’t really care for nicotine, but like the flavor of pipe tobacco and the pleasant smell of snuff.  

@Vathek Ask yourself this, if it’s just done for the nicotine, why do snuff and pipe tobacco come in more than one scent/flavor?

I’m also very sensitive to caffeine, but still enjoy a good cup of coffee.  It’s all about a little ol’ word that most people have forgotten about these days.  That word is moderation.

Anyone exposing themselves to nicotine would be well advised to learn about it’s addictive nature, the symptoms of over dose and the various symptoms of withdrawal. Simply put, someone who is not accustomed to an elevated dosage will normally experience some over dose symptoms and generally speaking withdrawal symptoms are closely related to frequency of dosage multiplied by dosage levels. Of course these details become obvious and all very trivial after a certain amount of experience with nicotine has been gained. Let me just say… You have been warned.

Hmm, I’m not sure where I said I didn’t like the pipe or the snuff?  I don’t care for the strong effects of nicotine, which is why I enjoy the pipe in moderation.  As noted above, I enjoy the flavor and the relaxing moments too myself.  Sometimes a good book or a pint of ale can be a welcome accompaniment.  Sometimes I just sit outside and look up at the night sky and contemplate.  If I start to feel I’m too a point where I’m not enjoying it, I exercise free will and simply stop.  Quite honestly, I really don’t get a huge nicotine effect from the snuff.  I like the scents more than anything and I like them quite a bit.  However, I must say, I don’t know if I’ve ever been part of a thread like this.  I’m on a site dedicated to the enjoyment of particular item and seem to be encountering a bit of resistance to my participation.  I’ve been smoking a pipe for about a year now, took some time to research the risks involved, found I enjoyed the aspects noted above, weighed the pluses and minuses and figured the benefit I might derive from a few bowls on the weekend was certainly worth the slightly increased risks.  Once again, I had this silly notion of moderation.  What WAS I thinking?!?!?  

I sure hope everyone gets on my case next regarding devil alcohol and the joys of the temperance movement!!! 

Honestly, I’m not even sure I want to get out of bed tomorrow…think of what might happen.  No, no, best for me just to shelter in place I suppose.

Ah nuts, yeah, you know what?  I’ve been on this planet nearly four decades now, and, thinking this all through again, I think I’ll just go ahead and do what I want!

I’m off to enjoy my pipe…or AM I??? 

:P 

@Brewshooter Just to be clear, in no way was I talking about risks. My last post was regarding the functioning of nicotine addiction and our awareness of it. For example in your case the reason for you not liking nicotine in my opinion, is that you are overdosing on it on the weekends. Honestly, I am trying to be helpful so that nicotine may not be a distraction and may even become part of the enjoyment for you and those who it may bother. Ultimately what my point would be is to embrace the addiction. My goal here is that we would elevate our understanding. Also please note that although you are the example on this topic, I have made an effort to be all inclusive in my statements in hopes that others might consider them. I think that some degree of knowledge on this subject would be helpful to beginners as well as those wishing to quit cigarettes.

Brewshooter, I think you’ll find the majority of us are behind you. 

There are certain pleasurable acts that require moderation and others where it’s all about the pleasure and there are no bad consequence’s. You just have to know your limits, a difficult thing to explain to one who is easily addicted. This was explained to me by the head of addictions at a prominent Scottish Uni (incidentally an irregular snuff user).  Some of us are lucky not to be easily addicted, I count myself as one of these types even though I had to use snuff to break a smoking addiction of 20 years. I found as a smoker I could go for long spells (weeks at a time) of not smoking but always went back and at some point even as heavy a smoker as 40 a day. Some of us can try everything in moderation and others simply can’t stop themselves.  

@Brewshooter…I WISH I could be moderate in my use of items with addictive qualities. However I can not. As I indicated, when I decided to try snus I knew I was contemplating renewing my tobacco addiction. I am happy I did actually. If I was able to exercise moderation I would still have the occasional beer or bourbon.
:))

For me, I have to choose my addictions wisely.

You are one of the lucky ones that can use tobacco (an alcohol) without needing it! I am not, but as Justaposer said…I have embraced my addiction to tobacco. Quite happily!

Snuff and smoke on Brewshooter!

@Juxtaposer No worries, my response was meant to be a bit over the top.  I understand your point.  I really find that only certain high nicotine tobaccos really cause any problem, primarily Virginia heavy blends.  1792 Flake is a real killer, but I like how it tastes.  So, I smoke it in small amounts.  Most aromatics and English blends I can smoke a fairly large bowl, even one packed tight enough to smoke for an hour to an hour and a half and, while I might feel the effects of the nicotine, I’m certainly not nauseous or unable to stand or anything.  My point was, as long as there’s sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll.

@Toque Yeah, I don’t know what it is, but the nicotine itself doesn’t seem to hold a huge appeal to me.  I actually feel I would have a higher risk of addiction with the snuff.  It doesn’t have the same effect as the pipe and seems much milder.  I notice a bit of a lift which never seems to get unpleasant in the same way that too much pipe tobacco can.  Like I said, I forgo the pipe during the week, but do use snuff.  On weekends, it’s back to the pipe and I put the snuff aside for a few days, but don’t seem to have any problem just not doing either, at least for a few days.  I’ve never really bothered to go longer.  I suppose maybe I should test myself! 

@Slide Well, you have managed to hit on my one weakness.  I do like a drink.  Since I’ve taken up brewing, it’s about 90% beer these days.  It is, without a doubt, where I have to keep an eye on that evil serpent we call addiction.  It tends to run in the family where alcohol is involved.  When I was younger, I used to be much worse.  It’s still something I need to stay on top of, but I do enjoy a good pint!