What would you say is the more prevalent snuffs in terms of popularity, plain/SP style snuffs that are subtly scented at most (Tom Buck, Best Dark, SP No1 etc), mentholated snuffs such as L260, O&G etc, or florals such as Jockey Club, Carnation and the like? My local B&M has the following in 25g tins - J&H SP No.1, Hedges L260, WoS Best SP, WoS SM500 and WoS Jockey Club and one McChrystals (the name escapes me). I’m keen to encourage them to stock more in the bigger tins, but I don’t want to ask them to stock snuffs that might not sell well, so I’d like opinions and thoughts on what they might enjoy healthy sales with.

Howdy Jinder! Tough to say… Unlike cigarette smokers, snuffers like variety in their life. Personally, I have a bit of all of the above but I indulge in plain snuffs less often than I do in the others. I was a mentholated (well… eucalyptized anyway) snuffer using mostly Ozona President until I discovered the Indian snuffs. Then again… I also like Latakias and Schmalzlers which don’t really fall into any of your categories.

In the States, the most prevalent snuffs would have to be scotchs. Whenever I travel out into Appalachia, it is nothing to see scotch snuff tubs on the shelves at gas stations. Most, in those areas, who are using snuff, are doing so through oral means. If we narrow the discussion to the partaking of snuff through the nose, the feedback I get from a tobacconist friend is that most are indulging in mentholated snuff. The one snuffer I know through work, however, is like me, and partakes in non mentholated, non floral snuff. This is a tough question to answer and I know the distinctions are being routinely being discussed amongst the pipe community in similar fashions, contrasting the prevalence and usage of mass produced blends with boutique blends.

You are better off buying snuff in 1lb or 1/2lb canisters or drums. The snuff is factory-fresh and far cheaper. Snuffs sold in local shops (excepting establishments like Smith’s) cater for a few regular customers only. Even before UK snuff consumption declined with the coal mining industry most snuff was bought at the colliery canteen. If you wish your shop to stock up then you must assume that you (and perhaps one or two other regulars) guarantee sales. Ask, therefore, for what you like and don’t even contemplate what snuffs are bestsellers. You are what makes a snuff a ‘bestseller’, so don‘t expect an enthusiastic surge of customers, queuing like those at New Year sales outside Harrods. It won’t happen.