Hello to all, I've lurked a bit over the last couple of months and finally registered. I thought I'd ask the question I've been wondering for awhile. What is so bad about using snus? I've smoked, used ecigs, and snus before and quit all 3. About 2 months or so ago I got a craving to pick up snus again and I picked up my old standby of General mini mint. I see people saying all the time, if you don't already smoke don't use snus. Well, I just want to use snus! What is the problem with that? I'm having a hard time finding anything truly horrible that snusing causes. What am I doing to myself by using snus? What am I apparently missing here?
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I think the worst thing about it is it can be addictive, but as far as health concerns, I think maybe some gum wear may be it's only negative, and that will differ individually. -
Snus is a harm reduction product, but it isn't completely safe. It still has low-level amounts of carcinogens (Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)) and the high amount of nicotine makes it addictive. Other problems with snus can be oral issues, such as gum recession and scarring, but that is also dependent on one's dental hygiene.
The point people make when saying don't start tobacco with snus is that it can potentially impact your health (as says the Swedish health warning on every can). But for those who do choose to use it, it is still the safest tobacco product.Comment
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Maybe I'm missing something else here too. I don't have a terrible problem being addicted to nicotine. I've quit smoking 2 times, ecigs and snus once. I've even quit caffiene a few times and I'm still alive. Maybe I'm just lucky?Comment
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Gum issues... over the years...
Dental problems.. I guess...
The only thing I see bad about it and I'm still not used to the look of the lip with loose snus. :-)
I look a bit like a monkey =))Comment
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Raptor, what are PAH's? I'm not sure that I've heard of that before. Thanks to both of you for the answers. I guess I just feel like snus can't be much worse than some of the other things we do to ourselves. Or at least that I do to myself anyway.Comment
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I am always a bit self conscious about people seeing that I have a portion of snus in my mouth. I try to only use mini size so its not as obvious.Comment
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycyc...ic_hydrocarbonOriginally posted by Missnus View PostComment
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PAHs are incomplete combustion products mostly found when burning tobacco. The thousands of chemicals cited in the many reports on tobacco smoke are mostly PAHs, as the combustion process isn't consistent and produces a wide variety of products. Some PAHs are completely harmless but others are not (like benzo[a]pyrene, which intercalates DNA and is a significant product in tobacco smoke). While snus isn't burned some low levels can still be detected as a result of natural decay.Originally posted by Missnus View Post
The point of not using snus if one doesn't already use tobacco is to (1) avoid nicotine addiction and (2) not expose oneself to additional potential health problems (albeit very improbable when using snus).Comment
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Just googled the PAH, looks like I'd get my fair share grilling steaks this summer anyway. It's been my understanding that, other than slightly higher risk for pancreatic cancer, snus doesn't up the risk for cancer too much. Is this correct? Since I can't read Swedish, the majority of my info comes from the study of Swedish construction workers. You know the one? It seems to show up a lot in my searches.
Edit: thanks for the link. I'm a bit slow on finishing my posts today. Thats what I get for doing a couple of things at once!Comment
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The worst must be yellow teeth and damaged gum. I've read that snus actually can prevent holes in your teeth, as some of the ingredients are made to keep bacteria away.Comment
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Several long-term snus observational experiments have been conducted over the years, and the only somewhat significant risk factor is pancreatic cancer. Otherwise, the correlation between other tobacco-smoking diseases and snus use doesn't exist. For that reason the Swedish government downgraded their warning labels to the very benign "may cause health issues and is addictive".Originally posted by Missnus View Post
The bacteria that thrive in human mouths are acidophilic, so they produce and prefer acidic environments (low pH). Snus has a basic pH to increase free nicotine for absorption, and that basicity will combat natural bacterial growth. This also extends to why dip is terrible for your mouth: dip does not have increased pH and has lots of added sugars. This, on top of having the dip sit in ones mouth for a long time, accelerates bacterial acid production and subsequent enamel degradation. The tobacco in dip doesn't rot one's mouth, the added sugar does (and dip having fermented tobacco doesn't help).Originally posted by Hanske View PostComment
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I'm sorry, I don't follow you. (my English skills has some holes). Does snus prevent holes?Originally posted by raptor View PostComment
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Holes in enamel are the result of localized acid produced by bacteria. This occurs when natural mouth bacteria are allowed to thrive (high sugars, not brushing one's teeth, etc). Snus will inadvertently neutralize the local pH and prohibit bacteria growth, so yes it will indirectly prevent holes.Originally posted by Hanske View PostComment
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Okay, that's pretty much what I thought.Comment
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From the Financial Times:
Last gaspers
By Richard Tomkins
Published: January 4 2008 21:30 | Last updated: January 4 2008... -
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Snu.../1135236122138
Snus by any other name...
Sales of moist smokeless tobacco are... -
As cigarette sales dip, new products raise concerns
Updated 117d ago | Comments61 | Recommend11 E-mail | Save | Print | Reprints & Permissions...02-12-07, 03:34 PM -
Washington state kicked off its effort to sign up uninsured residents for health insurance through a new federal law at a Tuesday meeting in Seattle....
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"Hard to say that nicotine is dangerous"
Professor: "No one has become addicted to nicotine only"
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