MORE ABOUT The Differences Between Snus and American Smokeless

[MojoQuestor]

These cigarettes costs a lot more money to produce, with no added benefit, so I think they'll probably just stick with regular cigarettes. Unless they can make more profit off these by selling them for drastically more...and then you're right But the presentation I attended about this was given by a big wig from Philip Morris, and he was bummed. So I'm assuming they're not pursuing this any further.

Oh, I gotcha. I would imagine that presentation was interesting. Makes me think of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_%28cigarette%29

Another thing that bugs me is "Natural" cigarettes, like American Spirits. Their market share has been increasing dramatically over the last couple years. Just because they're natural or organic or whatever doesn't mean they're safe. It's what's natural in the tobacco, when burned, that causes the majority of the problems.

Hmm. That's too bad. I'd always hoped that those sort of cigarettes were at least safer, but I can't say it's surprising to hear otherwise.

[mattzq8sonoma]

But I guess they can loudly market 800% reduction and lose not that it makes you any safer in the fine print.

These cigarettes costs a lot more money to produce, with no added benefit, so I think they'll probably just stick with regular cigarettes. Unless they can make more profit off these by selling them for drastically more...and then you're right But the presentation I attended about this was given by a big wig from Philip Morris, and he was bummed. So I'm assuming they're not pursuing this any further.

Another thing that bugs me is "Natural" cigarettes, like American Spirits. Their market share has been increasing dramatically over the last couple years. Just because they're natural or organic or whatever doesn't mean they're safe. It's what's natural in the tobacco, when burned, that causes the majority of the problems.

[MojoQuestor]

... All of this money and time and research to reduce harmful constituents in the mainstream cigarette smoke by 800% and it's not enough to make any difference in the biological effect of cigarettes. Meaning even though there are 8X less of many of the hazardous components in the smoke, it won't reduce your risk of lung cancer, or heart disease, or anything else. Put that in your pipe and smoke it...just don't inhale.

But I guess they can loudly market 800% reduction and lose not that it makes you any safer in the fine print.

[mattzq8sonoma]

As I stated, you have provided us with helpfull information that is of use to us all....Kudos my friend!

You're welcome! I love to share knowledge that I've learned over the years in the tobacco industry.

Here's one for you that I learned recently. There is EXTENSIVE research being conducted by cigarette manufacturers to make cigarettes less hazardous. The point where they are right now is with these crazy new-age filters. Cellulose acetate, w/ tons of carbon built-in. A metalized insert that works kinda like a catalytic converter on a car, plus side stream ventilation as well (the difference between a regular and the light or ultralight was the amount of side stream ventilation). All of this money and time and research to reduce harmful constituents in the mainstream cigarette smoke by 800% and it's not enough to make any difference in the biological effect of cigarettes. Meaning even though there are 8X less of many of the hazardous components in the smoke, it won't reduce your risk of lung cancer, or heart disease, or anything else. Put that in your pipe and smoke it...just don't inhale.

[whalen]

That is very good to know. You have done us all a service! These facts are important and have been speculated over for many years. I have always bought into sales....and consume older vacuum packed and frozen snus daily. It is nice to know that I still using a far less hazardous product.
As I stated, you have provided us with helpfull information that is of use to us all....Kudos my friend!

[mattzq8sonoma]

I wouldn't do any of those things. I actually prefer portions not to be too fresh. I was actually just expecting an answer like mist it with distilled water and let it sit for a day, but you never know until you ask. I was interested to see your comments about the "best before" date and that TSNA levels don't increase. I try to use common sense and otherwise never even look at the date.

I just took inventory of my freezer. I have 150+ cans and pouches (mostly cans) of snus that I now don't have to throw out, thanks to Matt. And so far it all tastes pretty good--even better now that I don't have that "uhh, I'm not so sure about this" feeling lurking in my brain

Seems like most people are basically just worried about the snus going bad and being hazardous to your health if it is stored for an extended period of time, because of TSNA's or other harmful constituents rising. I say at or below -11*C, or 12*F, because that's what our laboratory certified reference products are stored at. The newest batch of these, which are from 2009 and include snus, moist snuff, dry nasal snuff, and loose leaf are all stable in all the analytes of interest, including harmful constituents like TSNA's, volatile nitrosamines, aldehydes, PAH's, mycotoxins, etc, that are tested for in laboratory collaborative studies (labs all over the world testing the same products at the same time). The list is quite long for what we test for, and the results are very consistent over the past 5 years of testing these. So I can say without a doubt, that the products are stable for a very long time in the freezer.

[whalen]

There is a good reason the whole lower half of my freezer has getsnus stickers on all of the cans.
Great post BTW.

[vogi tobacco]

I just took inventory of my freezer. I have 150+ cans and pouches (mostly cans) of snus that I now don't have to throw out, thanks to Matt. And so far it all tastes pretty good--even better now that I don't have that "uhh, I'm not so sure about this" feeling lurking in my brain

As to why I have so much snus from 2009 & early 2010--well, it's a long story.

Lucky you. I am only sitting on about 13. (and 40 empties. haha)

[Frankie Reloaded]

I think this thread should be made "sticky" by the admins, because it provides good help to all of us who freeze our snus.

Thank you, mattzq8sonoma.

[MojoQuestor]

I just took inventory of my freezer. I have 150+ cans and pouches (mostly cans) of snus that I now don't have to throw out, thanks to Matt. And so far it all tastes pretty good--even better now that I don't have that "uhh, I'm not so sure about this" feeling lurking in my brain

As to why I have so much snus from 2009 & early 2010--well, it's a long story.

[Kaplan]

I wouldn't do any of those things. I actually prefer portions not to be too fresh. I was actually just expecting an answer like mist it with distilled water and let it sit for a day, but you never know until you ask. I was interested to see your comments about the "best before" date and that TSNA levels don't increase. I try to use common sense and otherwise never even look at the date.

[mattzq8sonoma]

What do you recommend as the best method for raising the pH in an old can of snus?

I've never thought of that before, or ever heard of anyone considering that. The pH buffers that are added to snus and moist snuff, to get them to the desired pH, are carbonates...sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and/or ammonium carbonate. I don't think those are too readily available to the average person other than sodium carbonate (aka soda ash) which is used to raise the pH in swimming pools. I would NOT recommend adding those yourself AT ALL. But rhetorically speaking if you want to "experiment" with it, you would only need a very very very small amount to achieve a significant rise in the pH. Like 0.5mg in a few mL of water and then drizzle over the top, mix sufficiently and allow to equilibrate in the can for a couple hours and mix again before using. But like I said, I would definitely not recommend that at all. Anything else that would raise the pH isn't really kosher, so to speak. They would be things like the active ingredients in dish detergent and household cleaners, so, not something I would want to have in my mouth. Snus to me is about having a safe tobacco product, so doing this yourself without the proper equipment isn't safe at all.

[Burnsey]

Great info, thanks

[BlackBart]

thanks for the info

[MojoQuestor]

Awesome, Matt. Thanks tons.