No additive cigarettes (natural spirit) VS. Snus

[snusjus]

You know how it is: out of sight, out of mind. If people's lungs were on the outsides of their bodies, I'm sure there would be far, far less smokers out there.

Didn't the U.K. have pictures like that on the backs of cigarette packs for a while?

Speaking of which, I seriously decided to quit smoking when I went to the Bodies museum exhibit. Basically, it's an exhibit that shows very well preserved human bodies. There was a section that showed a smoker's and non-smoker's lung. When I saw this in-person, it really gave me the motivation to quit. Conveniently, there was a large, clear box, that was for people that wanted to throw away their cigarettes. There were hundreds of packs that were thrown away. Sadly, I saw a can of Triumph Snus in there too! Perhaps there should have been a note that smokeless tobacco doesn't cause charred, black lungs.

Here's a photo of what I saw:

[rsuelzer]

Sadly, I saw a can of Triumph Snus in there too! Perhaps there should have been a note that smokeless tobacco doesn't cause charred, black lungs.

ROFL! hahahaha. No seriously, I probably could have quit smoking without snus, but i have quit for long periods of time only to return to it. i decided on a harm reduction method, because frankly i enjoy nicotine and snus. yes, i wish i were a normal person and wasn't addicted to it. but it is either this or wanted a cigarette every single day... so snus it is for me. maybe someday i will quit snusing. who knows. either way, my lungs are thanking me.

[holnrew]

You know how it is: out of sight, out of mind. If people's lungs were on the outsides of their bodies, I'm sure there would be far, far less smokers out there.

Didn't the U.K. have pictures like that on the backs of cigarette packs for a while?

Not like that, the worst I've had is one of a neck tumour, I made sure it was facing away from me before I took it out of my pocket!

I've got 2 packs left, I've been thinking for a while that the 5x20 pack I got should be my last.

[sgreger1]

Re: No additive cigarettes (natural spirit) VS. Snus

I know tar is something present in cigs and not in snus. Any other health benefits to switching to snus?

Think about it, a cigarette you are smoking 100% of the tobacco and all its bad stuff, also creating tar, plus you are smoking the paper which is filled with chemicals to make it burn faster and more constant.

with snus you squeeze the juice out using your natural digestive system (saliva) and take out the nicotene and some of the tobacco taste and the rest is disposed of or stays in the portion. It HAS to be better than smoking it, even if you were just dipping a regular cigarette type tobacco, your not smoking it or the chemicals they put on it to make it smoke a certain way and speed.

[Ragnar]

I don't know why people need detailed reasons/data why smoking cigarettes is bad for you. Even while I smoked a pack a day for 15 years (thank you Snus, for ending that -- down to 3 a day) -- It seemed like common sense that it was bad for me.

INHALING TINY ASHES (smoke) into your lungs over and over again is obviously a terrible idea.*

^^One reason why I get pissed off when someone sues the tobacco company after getting lung cancer, and uses the reasoning, "I didn't know it was bad for me... there wasn't a Surgeon General Warning on the packs when I started smoking! I need the government to tell me what's healthy! Sob, sob..."



*Would you think breathing in smoke from a camp-fire all day would be healthy? Obviously not. That said... smoking "a few" cigarettes (or cigars or pipes or joints) never killed anyone.

SNUS: Common sense tells me its not the best thing for dental hygiene to Snus all day -- but its easier to brush my teeth than to brush my lungs.

[truthwolf1]

April 4th 2008 was my last smoke and it was a American Spirit. I smoked them exclusively for two months and then weened myself to one a day.
The next day quit with snus. (22 year smoker)

The first month was very difficult even with snus but around the 7-8 month mark the psychological cravings seemed to have vanished. I believe somewhere in that time the snus took over.

After a year I can say
1)No more morning hack and back pains from coughing.
2)The night wheezing is gone! Something that really scared me.
3) Taste and Smell have revived a good deal. Booze never tasted so good!
4) I am so much more relaxed now living in this Anti Smoking world. A year ago I was always looking for a place to escape to get my fix but now with snus that stress is gone.

[RobsanX]

April 4th 2008 was my last smoke and it was a American Spirit. I smoked them exclusively for two months and then weened myself to one a day.
The next day quit with snus. (22 year smoker)

The first month was very difficult even with snus but around the 7-8 month mark the psychological cravings seemed to have vanished. I believe somewhere in that time the snus took over.

After a year I can say
1)No more morning hack and back pains from coughing.
2)The night wheezing is gone! Something that really scared me.
3) Taste and Smell have revived a good deal. Booze never tasted so good!
4) I am so much more relaxed now living in this Anti Smoking world. A year ago I was always looking for a place to escape to get my fix but now with snus that stress is gone.

Congrats!

[Ragnar]

2)The night wheezing is gone! Something that really scared me.

I had the same thing happening. Whenever I'd get in bed, I'd have to wheeze and cough for a while before I could actually settle down and fall asleep. Being next to my non-smoker girlfriend was embarrassing... to the point where I sort of dreaded going to bed.

[truthwolf1]

Thanks RobsanX!

Yes, the wheezing would keep me up also and it has really been a relief to not experience that anymore.

From those charred lung pics earlier, I recall reading but never seeing that they also had a old womans lungs on display there who had quit smoking about 3-5 years before she passed away. I guess her lungs looked almost like the non-smokers. It could of been a fluke but they stated that in time your body does start to heal itself.[/quote]

[Royksprekk]

SNUS: Common sense tells me its not the best thing for dental hygiene to Snus all day -- but its easier to brush my teeth than to brush my lungs.

This is honestly my biggest fear regarding snus - it's not pancreatic cancer (something like 7 out of 1000 instead of 2 out of 1000 or whatever it is?), heart health, oral cancer (my personal research leads me to believe I'll get that from drinking before snus) or any other unwanted effects of nicotine.

Beyond the basic cosmetic issues (I "tan" my teeth with all sorts of other stuff - coffee, "sweets", etc...it's a lost cause), I'm most worried about gum recession and tooth loss. I'm pretty sure this is worse with American dipping tobacco...

Anybody know how likely it is that I'll end up eroding my gums down to the roots of my teeth? (Predominately using portions probably doesn't help ops: )

[reshumate]

I would think unless you are a chain snuser, practicing good oral hygiene should counter any receding gum issue. Remember to brush your gums. Snus doesn't have all the chemicals that American snuff has, which is probably the reason people think oral tobacco causes recession.

[deebocools]

ok, everyone here will tell you snus is 100% safe for your gums, but I won't.

I don't think humans and snus have had enough co-evolution to prevent all dental problems. when, besides using smokeless tobacco, do you hold something between your gum and your lip for hours every day?

some people are in excellent dental condition anyhow and will experience nothing. Others, like me, have always had bad teeth/gums despite good hygiene and will experience some recession, and maybe problems with teeth. The question is whether or not it's a worthy trade off. I've decided it is, but I may regret that when I need dentures or dental surgery later on.

It's certainly better than smoking, I'll even say it's the safest form of tobacco use next to nasal snuff. But don't believe the hype, you are more likely to experience dental problems from using snus than if you didnt. take that for what it's worth

[lxskllr]

ok, everyone here will tell you snus is 100% safe for your gums, but I won't.

I don't think humans and snus have had enough co-evolution to prevent all dental problems. when, besides using smokeless tobacco, do you hold something between your gum and your lip for hours every day?

some people are in excellent dental condition anyhow and will experience nothing. Others, like me, have always had bad teeth/gums despite good hygiene and will experience some recession, and maybe problems with teeth. The question is whether or not it's a worthy trade off. I've decided it is, but I may regret that when I need dentures or dental surgery later on.

It's certainly better than smoking, I'll even say it's the safest form of tobacco use next to nasal snuff. But don't believe the hype, you are more likely to experience dental problems from using snus than if you didnt. take that for what it's worth

I agree. I have a little bit of recession also, but as I've said before, a rotten mouth is better than rotten lungs. Your mouth can be fixed, your lungs generally can't.