Harm Reduction

[redsfan1005]

Interesting article on harm reduction

http://smokersonly.org/media/Congres...ony%202003.pdf

and check out the website:
http://www.smokersonly.org

there is somebody in the US that actually supports those ex smokers who believe in harm reduction

[GoVegan]

Yes - Dr. Rodu has written quite a bit about the benefits of hard reduction and tobacco use. He is even a member of snuson and you will see him in the forum from time to time. Unfortunately, he is in the minority and most doctors do not care to spend the time to actually research using snus to stop smoking. I found this article in the news recently written by a registered nurse who wrote that using snus is a bad option because people will still smoke while using it.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/arti...03/4160302/-1/

My guess is that she probably supports the use of nicotine replacement therapies. The problem is, just like with snus, there will be some people who try to smoke while using the patch or gum but I do not see people calling for a ban on these products as a result. I also wonder if many of the "dual users" would smoke even more if it wasn't for snus. The medical community has chosen to put their head in the sand in regards to using snus to quit smoking despite the concrete studies that show many lives and dollars can be saved by looking at this option. It's a bit sad that the answer is in front of us and we refuse to look at it. I am 99.999% certain that I would still be smoking now if it wasn't for snus and even when I slip up and have that rare smoke, I just go right back to snus.

[Frosted]

I am 100% sure snus made me quit. It was the only thing strong enough.

NRT simply didn't come up to the mark as far as nicotine content was concerned - I was always wanting and always craving on it. IMO the NRT manufacturers have made a mistake by not providing enough nic in a patch/gum etc. - they are also extremely expensive. In order to get people off the cigs you need to supply strong nic replacement and after about a year start weaning. You can't give a smoker less nic straight away and sanely expect it to work for them.

I'm now two years off the cigs and I'm so grateful to snus. I feel really really good. I know that I'll never smoke another cigarette because I look back at all the years I smoked with horror now that I have kids. I smoked since I was 9 - I stopped smoking at 38 and I'd tried EVERYTHING to get off the cigs. With snus it was so easy and enjoyable.

I also reckon that once you're on snus, over time, it's very possible to kick nic altogether - if one really wanted to.

[Msmith]

I personally tried all the NRT's. gum, patch, lozenge, inhaler, chantix, and even wellburtin. None helped me like snus. I am going on 4 months of being a non smoker, and I have no doubt in my mind that I will remain that way. Doctors need to realize that not all of us can simply remove the habit from our lives. I think that is why snus has worked for me. It still gave me something to put into my mouth when I needed nicotine. Plus I started with the sterk brands, which gave me enough nicotine to get over the initial hump. Now I find it to be a pleasure, not just an addiction. I used to say that all the time with smoking, that I loved to smoke. Now I say that with snus, but mean it. I accept the fact that I cannot give up nicotine in the foreseeable future, so I am grateful for a product like snus. It is unfortunate that our government doesn't see the benefits of this product.