For everyone quitting cigarettes with snus...

[jackolantern]

I just started using snus this past Sunday. I have been a smoker for many years, and am wanting to change to snus full-time for my nicotine.

I made this post for all users who either have, or want to, give up cigarettes (or even American snuff) to use snus. You can make a post to say:

1. How long it has been since your last smoke (or dip).

2. How you are feeling in regards to no longer smoking.

3. What your plan is (i.e. is your plan to stop tobacco use all-together with snus, keep using snus, use it for a while to let your lungs heal up a bit, etc.)

4. Anything and everything else you want to add, or subtract out any of the above points.

Pop back in when you hit an important landmark, like a week, month, 90 days, 6 months, 100 days, 1 day, 271.3 days, etc.

Pop back in if you are feeling like you can't keep this going, and you need support or maybe just some folks to congratulate you on your progress so far to keep you going.

It's only been a little over 3 days for me so far, but I am holding strong and loving snus. The freedom it gives me in my tobacco use is wonderful (I can use it inside, without people knowing, without bothering anyone, without spitting, etc.)

I will leave this up to anyone else who wants to post.

[burningcow422]

Last smoke, about 5 minutes ago? Coming home up north from half a year living in sunny florida needless to say it's snowing/freezing rain right now and it's below freezing. One of those **** my life moments. Cracked down with the smokes yet again.

For me I still crave a smoke even if I have snus/dip. Haven't used dip in about a week though. After a while the cravings for a smoke go away but I'll still wander back into them after a few weeks.

[jackolantern]

I can totally understand that. For me, I always had to go outside to smoke, since my gf doesn't smoke. I would never really want to smoke inside when I was living alone, anyway. Going outside to smoke was always my "me time". That's probably one of the hardest parts for me so far. For the first couple days, I would actually go outside for the first 10 minutes of each snus or so to recreate that, but that started to get a little strange, so I let that go.

But even if you don't completely stop, I would wager that you are not smoking nearly as much as before and that's a step in the right direction. Just take it slowly.

[MrAbstracto]

First of all, LOVE your avatar.

Back on-topic, I'm not really trying to quit so much as dramatically cut down on the cigs, and I have to say its working. I've gone from a pack and a half a day all the way down to about 2-3 packs a WEEK.

[jackolantern]

Thanks! I love Trailer Park Boys almost as much as life itself lol.

Anyway, that's good to hear! Don't listen to the bull that anti-tobacco groups say about "cutting down doesn't help". That would make tobacco the only poison on earth that taking a small amount won't hurt you less than a large amount!

I was also around a pack and a half a day. I would go out to smoke sometimes every 15 minutes. I love the ability to pop a snus and leave it in for over an hour sometimes to curb those chain-smoking cravings.

[Amizzy]

I've been free from cigs for about 5 months now. I honestly never thought I'd quit. So snus has been a real miracle for me. And now I realize how bad you actually smell when you come back in from a smoke break :shock: (and I used to think I barely smelled, haha). I still have cravings every now and again, but they are manageable
I eventually plan on quitting snus, but for now, I really like the flavor and I'm still trying new ones, so it might be a little yet.

[Xobeloot]

I phased out of a 1.5-2pk/day smoking habit via American dip just over a year ago. I have since been using snus full time.

Over the past year, there are times where I do buy a pack of smokes. What I find since since using snus full time is that I can chain-smoke a full pack and still feel unsatisfied until I have some snus.

As far as health: I used to have chronic lung infections that would lay me out at LEAST once per year for as long as I can remember. I havent had anything but a mild cold in the past year, and even that cleared up within a couple days.

I can run with the dog without coughing, and I just feel 100% better.

I don't have any plans to quit, but I find that when I dont snus all the time, I don't feel nearly as crappy and "fiendish" as I did when I ran out of cigs.

Good luck with quitting, and welcome to Snuson!

[bmwgsa]

1. How long it has been since your last smoke (or dip).
.... 4 months (maybe more, I don't really count)

2. How you are feeling in regards to no longer smoking.
.... One helluva lot better. My coughing has gone away, better stamina - 100% better than with smokes.

3. What your plan is (i.e. is your plan to stop tobacco use all-together with snus, keep using snus, use it for a while to let your lungs heal up a bit, etc.)
.... I'll keep using tobacco if nothing else just to piss off the tobacco nazi's. Honestly, I'll use snus until I get tired of it and probably quit tobacco completely.

4. Anything and everything else you want to add, or subtract out any of the above points.
.... I quit using snus after a 30 year habbit. I have cheated and got a couple of packs, but a pack a week vs. a pack+ a day; fair trade. Just stick with it, snus is good.

Additionally, don't be afraid to try different types of snus (brands, flavors, portions, LOS) - it's part of the fun....

[sagedil]

jackolantern, I smoked fro the time I was 9. I am 43 now, been using snus for going on 2 years.

I never planned on quitting cigarettes. I got snus just to help cover me at work so I didn't have to step off the sales floor as much. I was running a fund raising operation at the time.

But funny thing happened. I just liked snus more than cigarettes. So after about a month, I was just using snus 99% of the time. I still smoke every blue moon when I feel like it.

Due to my ADHD, I will never give up nicotine, See my other posts on the topic.

[Ainkor]

Hrmm, think it's been about 4 months or so since I stopped smoking. I smoked for 21 years and most of that time over a pack a day. When I quit I smoked 2 or so packs a day.

In regards to how I feel, honestly not as good as I thought I would. I quit many years ago for 18 months and I felt like a million dollars. My biggest issue I think though is that many weeks I work 70-80+ hours. Overall though I do feel better and my wallet is quite a bit lighter

I don't plan on quiting, I use nicotine as a crutch and I am proud of it!

On a side note, my wife still smokes but she is stocking on Oliver Twists. She is off next week, loves them and is going to give an good attempt at quiting smoking.

The main reason I quit is for the health reasons though. I am getting older, I have a super stressful job and I am on the pudgy side. Not the things one wants to have in common with smoking if you plan on living a bit more than 50

[MN_Snuser]

Last Cigarette about 6 months ago. It's the longest I have ever gone since I started smoking 12-13 years ago

This may sound weird, but it makes me sad that cigarettes are bad for ones health. I do not have cravings for a cigarette anymore, but I do miss smoking. Some of the greatest times in my life involved some good friends/family, cold beer, great discussion and smoking a cigarette. I feel like part of my persona has been stripped of me. IDK. I did tell my wife the other day that if science learns how to clone/grow a new lung like they have for various other organs, that I am lighting up again.

I plan to continue using snus till I feel like I don't need it anymore, could be 1 year, could be 20. I am just taking one day at a time.

Keep snusin!

p.s. Although tobacco has be demonized, it is still a plant that the creator put on this planet for some reason. Are we using if for the creators intended purpose? I cannot say. What I can say is thus: Tobacco helped to form my country, and while I am a Yankee (minnesota), many miles away from "tobacco country", but I believe that my Southern countrymen produce some of the highest quality and most desirable tobacco on the planet.

[Ainkor]

I feel like part of my persona has been stripped of me. IDK.

You hit on a very interesting thing there MN. As a restaurateur, smoking is almost as important as interpersonal skills IMO. Many of the best discussions I have had with people I lead is over a smoke or two. Damn, I really miss smoking, not the side effects, but smoking.

[burningcow422]

But even if you don't completely stop, I would wager that you are not smoking nearly as much as before and that's a step in the right direction. Just take it slowly.

My peak was about 30 a day (insane now that I think about it) and the most I've had in a day since I started Snus was 9 or 10 (half a pack give or take). Haven't had one all day today. Had 4 yesterday.

[MN_Snuser]

I feel like part of my persona has been stripped of me. IDK.

You hit on a very interesting thing there MN. As a restaurateur, smoking is almost as important as interpersonal skills IMO. Many of the best discussions I have had with people I lead is over a smoke or two. Damn, I really miss smoking, not the side effects, but smoking.

Could it be that is was all marketing bullshit ? Tobacco companies are great advertisers.

[RobsanX]

I've been virtually smoke free since September. I will have one at the bar now and then, but I probably haven't bought any since August...

I quit over the course of about a month, gradually reducing the smokes in between snusing. I've said here many times, if you feel like you must have a cigarette, then go ahead and have one, but keep on snusing. It's better to quit smoking gradually, then to give up trying.