Hello, I would like to tell you a little about what I am experiencing and I would like to receive your advice and support.
I’ve been collecting snuff for about 10 years, although my main way of consuming nicotine is through cigarettes. I’m 28 years old and I’ve been smoking since I was 13 or so. I would have always liked to give up smoke for snuff, but the change has always taken me a lot of effort.
Now, I’ve been having serious problems with my throat for a couple of years, one of the culprits is damn tobacco, I feel really addicted to it, but I have the obligation to quit. I am thankful that there is an alternative to it, the wonderful snuff, but it still does not calm my addiction like smoke does.
I am dedicated to music and because of the smoke I have lost a large part of my vocal power, and it will only return if I say goodbye to cigarettes. I have decided to give up cigarettes starting today and only consume snuff.
If you could give me any advice or words of support I would greatly appreciate it.
I share this because I want to record my change and I think it is good for me to carry it out.
Well the obvious advice is get some snus …or other oral tobacco if snus isn’t available down your way . That will smash your nicotine requirements during the transition period .
After a while the amount of nicotine you get off a cig starts to seem puny . They’re still pretty desirable but it aint because of the nicotine .
Some users turn to vaping or cigars and pipes . Lots of fun to be had but I think they fetishize the physical act of smoking for a new quitter . Once you’ve got the cigarette monkey off your back , cigars and pipes can be great ways to enjoy a bit of tobacco on your own terms . Not because you need it ; because you fancy some .
It can be difficult to switch from cigs to snuff. Main thing is to change your habitual urge to light a cig to taking a pinch, everytime you feel the need to light a cig take a pinch instead and over time the urge to light a cig will be replaced by the urge to take a pinch.
Also there is more in cigs than just nicotine that you get addicted to so snuff cannot fully take away your urge for a cig, you will need to work at it to change your addiction to just nicotine.
There’s no two ways about it, cigarettes are very addictive and nothing is going to be a direct replacement. There’s no greater way of getting tobacco alkaloids into your system than through smoke in the lungs, but unfortunately that’s also a good way of potentially inflicting severe health damage.
As others have stated, the biggest challenge is breaking habits or replacing one habit with another that’s much less likely to cause harm. I found ecigs useful in replacing that habit and taking away the urge to smoke, but also found they’re clinical in their delivery of nicotine and nothing else, whereas snuff is more satisfying. Oddly I find snus less satisfying, but more effective.
I agree that snuff alone might not be the easiest way to quit smoking. I used to smoke, and if I used snuff like I used to smoke darts, I would be having a pinch and blowing my nose constantly! Seconding the suggestion to get some snus. Snuff is great (my favorite form of tobacco in fact) but a portion of snus is much larger and has more nicotine than a pinch or two of snuff, but since it is released over a longer period of time, it is better for cravings. If you are really committed to snuff, stock up on some high nicotine snuffs and a few boxes of tissues.
As others have said snus will help a lot, I use Siberia portion, one of the strongest snuses around. It will help with cravings, it also had the benefit of being discreet so you can use it at work without anyone knowing. I use snuff to top up, I also enjoy a pipe two or three times a week but they is a nice relaxing treat at the weekend for me.
I world also say avoid nicopods especially the strong ones, they made me feel sick, I think the delivery of nicotine is much faster with them.
I wish you all the best in quitting cigs, you will feel much better once that monkey is off your back.
I want to quit dip pouches using nasal snuff and for me it takes the strongest available which are the Indian snuffs and Ntsu or Taxi. It’s been working for me and I only have a pouch when I’m in the car or bed and my gf doesn’t want snuff flying everywhere. Hang in there.
If you must use snuff to get off another stronger tobacco product, I would get some high nicotine Indians like White Elephant, Afghan white, Cheetah, etc. or a “Smoker’s blend” type snuff. McChrystal’s makes a very good one, as did Dholakia. Never tried it but Toque has one as well. South African snuffs are also very strong, but I find I am reaming out my nostrils every couple pinches due to the very coarse grind! Whereas English-style smoker’s blend snuffs tend to get cleared out better by back drip and blowing my nose. Just my two cents, good luck with quitting!