New Snuser

[Old Frothingslosh]

I was wondering how many people have been able to quit smoking cigarettes by using snus? I'm a long time smoker (40+ years) and have been through all the remedies to quit smoking, i.e., hypnosis, patch, lozenges, wellbutrin, cold turkey, etc. without any long-term luck.

I heard about snus from a magazine article and then did some Google research and found this forum. I lurked for about a month before joining a few days ago.

I placed an order for a roll of General Ekstra Sterk, plus the two free cans offered by The Northerner. I was attracted by the high nicotine content. Before the order came I realized I should try several different brands as well and placed another order for Grovsnus, Black Portion, 1847, Pall Mall, Grovsnus White, Nick & Johnny, Skruf Stark, Claq Qui Strong, Lucky Strike, Ettan, Grovsnus Portion--all portions. (I've never been a dipper and didn't like the idea of loose tobacco in my mouth). However, after reading on this forum, I'll probably give the los a try sometime soon.

Anyway, I received the first order (General Ekstra Sterk) a week ago and I love it. I haven't smoked since and am hoping I never will again. I hope some of you can encourage me with your stories of getting off cigarettes for good.

Thanks for your help, this forum is great.

P.S. I received my second order Saturday and am beginning to try some of the other brands. I've only tried a couple of them, but so far it's hard to beat that General Ekstra Sterk.

[bakerbarber]

Good luck buddy!

Welcome aboard!

I personally have a cigarette every morning on my ride to work. One pack lasts me over three weeks.

I could easily drop it, but it's part of my ritual of starting my day. The only cigarette I really need.

I started snusing the end of April '08. The strong snus really helped at first. There are so many choices in strong snus now, so it'll be easier to make the switch. I could have used more variety at first.

I made a gradual transition with snus. I've tried Chantix, patches, lozenges, gum, etc... For me nothing "stuck" for long.

Think long term. You don't have to stop smoking cold turkey. Have a long range plan where the goal is smoke free. The gradual transition for me all but eliminated the "quitters cough" and weight gain I had every other time I quit.

I actually didn't intend to quit smoking when I took up snus. I always kept a can of copenhagen around. The financial impact of smoking and dipping was becoming a burden. Smelling like an ashtray, carrying a spitter, standing out in the cold. It all sort of lost it's appeal.

Snus is the way to go. No sugar to rot your teeth, no smoke to gunk up your lungs, no big lump in your lip.

Glad to have another snus brother.

[RobsanX]

Welcome to the forums! I was a 20 year 1+ pack a day smoker, and I quit with snus. Those little pouches are like magic aren't they?!

There are lots of threads about people's experience in quitting smoking with snus. This one here is pretty current and comprehensive:

http://www.snuson.com/viewtopic.php?t=3262

[lxskllr]

Welcome to the forums :^) I'm happy you're finding snus useful...

You have pretty rarefied taste in beer :^D I noticed your name when you joined.

[Tristik]

~~
I quit smoking about 6-ish times now. The patch worked every time for me to get through the nicotine loss period, but it does nothing for you 6 months down the road when you start wanting to 'just go ahead and have a smoke while you're at the bar/park/get-together'.

My last quit date was around 4 months ago or so now (cold turkey on that one). About 2 months ago I started craving something. I haven't gone back to cigarettes, but I do have the occasional pouch of dip when I'm drinking. But other than the once-in-awhile dip, snus has kept me straight. We'll have to see how that goes in the long term because I know how things go having quit for about a year two different times and gone back.
~~

[TBD]

I was a 2 pack a day smoker for 20+ years. Snus alone knocked that down to 2-3 smokes a day. I have since added snuff to my addiction,and have been able to quit. Snuff gives me that extra boost I need sometimes. I prefer snus to smokes now. I tried every other method to quit smoking and never lasted more than a few hours. Between snus and snuff I have been able to quit for weeks. Sometimes I still want a cig, but one is all it takes to have me running back to the fridge for more snus. My favorite part is I can smell again.

P.S. I notice you're from Butler, my best friend lives in Sligo. Smallish world.
Welcome to the forum.

[sagedil]

Welcome to the forum Old Frothingslosh,

I have been using snus close to 2 years now. Prior to that, I started smoking at age 9 ( I am 43 now). I was a two pack a day smoker when I started using snus.

I had NO intention of quitting when i started with snus. I got snus becasue it could maybe help me get through my four hour shift at work without having to leave the sales floor for a cigarette. But funny thing happened that next month. I just smoked less and less, came to like the snus more and more, and one day, just stopped buying cigarettes.

Snus saved me like 70% of the money I had been spending on cigarettes, so that was a big piece of it I am sure. but I just came to prefer the more even nicotine delivery snus brings.

That next year, I still had a few cigarettes ever y week, but over time, that has almost completely dropped. What I do love is now, when smoking is what I want to do (not need to do), I can.

I still miss the nicotine rush occasionally, and lately, and finding myself using more and more strong snus. So I have ordered myself some snuff and plan on introducing that as part of my routine. The snuff should give me a good enough nicotine kick so I won't even want that occasional cigarette.

Last 6 months, I probably have smoked no more than 25 cigarettes. And 20 of those came when i bought a pack last month out of the blue.

My best advice has always been to stop worrying about quitting. the snus will take care of that for you. You will just start preferring it more and more.

[snusjus]

I quit in August 2009 (about 5 months ago) with snus and haven't smoked a single cigarette, not even a puff. I started out with strong snus, which helped me substantially, but now I'm ready to switch to regular snus, since the flavor is less intense. You're lucky General Ekstra Sterk was available when you quit; I would have used that too, but it was not released at the time. If you have the motivation to quit smoking, it will be very easy, since you're getting similar or higher levels of nicotine with snus.

[Gowrie]

Great testimonials!
And if a few years down the road you decide to give up snus, you'll find it much easier than cigs.

[sagedil]

Great testimonials!
And if a few years down the road you decide to give up snus, you'll find it much easier than cigs.

Umm, from someone who walked away from snus last year for about 5 weeks when I was dating someone with a heart condition, that is not really true. I found it was basically just as hard. I was insane for a few days, and then thought about snus most every other minute for the next month. When Trudy decided to end it, she asked if I still wanted to watch a movie with her that night. I said sure, but I had to go home first. Went home, grabbed the snus that was still in my freezer, and headed back.

Nicotine addiction is nicotine addiction, snus will NOT make that part any easier.

[jamesstew]

I had the same experience as Robsanx, by far the easiest time I've had quitting cigs.

[Old Frothingslosh]

Thanks for all the tips, encouragement, and information, folks. I appreciate. Love the forum.

lxskllr: "Rarified taste in beer." Haha

TBD: It is a small world, isn't it?

[PassedPawn]

Those little pouches are like magic aren't they?!

Yes, yes they are Those smoking cravings went away like magic for me, that's for sure.

[Ainkor]

Not to rain on your parade but I have been trying to quit smoking with snus for 6 months. It hasn't helped at all. There are times I have three portions in and chain smoke like a fiend!

I am beginning to wonder if I have a severe nicotine resistance or something.

For example last night I was "hanging out" with my wife, a lit smoke, two general extra sterks in and all I could think about was my pipe. She wanted something else and all I could think about was the sweet sweet smell of burning tobacco!








Just kidding :P I quit smoking 6 months ago with the help of my little buddy, snus. I was up to a bit over two packs a day and I have not even wanted a cigarette since. Now, I quit for health reasons (I could barely breath) so I was extremely motivated, but it's been easy.

Last week I bought another pipe so I could sit on the porch with my wife. It was one of our favorite past times, sitting outside smoking.

I was very nervous that it would kick start the smoking addiction, but so far so good. I have one pipe a day with my wife, don't inhale (not that I could without keeling over) and I have ZERO desire any other time.

Welcome abord and good luck bud!

-Ainkor

It's like magic!

[Mr. Snuffleupagus]

LOL Ainkor you had me scared. I also have had no cigg cravings now for 3 weeks and it's been easy.

Welcome Old Frothingslosh, get some loose snus. I didn't think I would like it, oh was I ever wrong.