New Snus-er: First Impressions

[meta]

First, I've smoked Camel Lights (a pack a day) almost exclusively for 16 years (never dipped or chewed). I'm 35, have a non-smoking wife and a baby on the way. So, while I really enjoy my smokes, the time has come to give them up.

A few weeks ago, after repeatedly seeing the signs at the gas station advertising Camel Snus, I finally did some research online about snus in-general... which eventually led me here. This site has been immensely helpful, and is why I decided to give it a shot.

I placed my first order at getsnus.com last Tues and received it on Friday. I ordered Ettan Original, Offroad Original, Goteborg's No.2 White and Phantom Blue (all portions). But, while waiting for my order to arrive (and since I was out of town), I stopped by a local tobacco shop and picked up some Oliver Twist Original and Wintergreen.

I didn't like the OT Original at first. Seemed very "smokey" and it burned my gums and throat a bit. Very reminiscent of a peppery beef jerky. I then went to the Wintergreen, which wasn't too bad. Over the next few days I alternated between the two. After getting more accustomed, I found that I actually liked the Original much better, and the Wintergreen started to make me nauseous. Both seemed to equally curb my desire for a cigarette, as I've drastically cut down to 3-4 per day without major issues. (The OT Original also goes nicely with both coffee and a glass of merlot... my two other vices/staples)

On my drive home Sunday, anxious to get to the snus waiting for me in my mailbox, I stopped for gas and bought a tin of Camel Frost Snus. It smelled like candy, and the mint flavor, initially, was overwhelming. After a few minutes, it became more subtle... but I still had to spit it out after about 20 minutes. Ten minutes later I needed a cigarette, so I went back to my OT's. While the Camel Snus might be good occasionally, it would never serve as a cigarette replacement/alternative.

I wasn't impressed at all with the Camel Snus, but having read that it wasn't representative of 'real' snus, I didn't let it discourage me.

To keep things easier to read, this post is continued in First Impressions: Part 2.

[meta]

New Snus-er: First Impressions Part 2

I arrived home and, as expected, my snus was in the mailbox and nicely chilled due to the winter temperatures. As of today, the Phantom is still in the freezer untried. Here are my first impressions, as a new snus-er, with the others... in order.

Ettan Original: My first snus... and it burned! Ouch. A bit later, I felt my lip going a bit numb. A few minutes later, I started feeling the head-rush of the nicotine. I kept it in for about 30 minutes. The sensations were enough that I didn't even consider the flavor. A few hours later I popped in the second and wow... it was really good. Compared to my cigarettes, the Camel Snus and OT's, the flavor was mild and refined. My first thought was “this is my favorite”, but I reminded myself that this was also the first one I'd tried. I was impressed with the new dimension it gave to the flavor of my merlot.

Offroad Original: When my next craving hit, I thought I'd try the Offroad. The flavor was different, but I couldn't put my finger on it at the time. (I purposely did not go back to read the descriptions and instead tried to evaluate it on my own.) At first there was nothing... then the tobacco... but then... citrus? As time passed, I enjoyed this more and more.

However, now about 6 hours without a cigarette on a Sunday evening, while I didn't feel nicotine withdrawal, I noticed my lungs feeling a bit “itchy” (I have no better word to describe it) and I wanted a smoke.

I woke up on Monday and had an Ettan with my morning coffee. Oh... so good! I was really quite amazed at how good it was. Mid-morning, I had another. After lunch, I decided to try something different.

Goteborg's No. 2 White Portion: I'm sure it is only because my own taste is not refined enough to appreciate it, but my first try was nothing special. I didn't get the immediate nicotine hit I think my brain wanted after a meal... but it came eventually. The flavor was different, flowery?... not bad, but didn't strike me as outstanding. It's not that I didn't like it. I did. As I said, I think I am not yet ready to appreciate it. So, I put this tin back in the fridge to use sparingly until my tastes develop.

This day, Monday, I had, and only wanted, one cigarette.

[meta]

New Snus-er: First Impressions Part 3

Over the course of the next few days I unconsciously developed a routine: Ettan with morning coffee, Offroad the rest of the day, then Ettan again with evening wine. Occasionally I threw in the occasional Goteborg's No.2 just to mix it up a bit. And while I didn't think about smoking otherwise, I had a few work-related, stressful situations arise, to which my immediate reaction was to have a cigarette...and I did.

This part probably belongs in the “Health” topic, but Wednesday morning my normal Listerine rinse was really painful in the area where I normally hold the snus. I looked inside my upper lip and saw the 'white spot'. I was freaked out for a few minutes, but that subsided. Since then I've put the snus on the other side about 50% of the time, and today (Thursday), the white spot is almost gone.

And though I haven't quit smoking 100%, I am suffering the “Quitter's Flu”... or at least a mild version of it. Especially in the morning, my nose runs and I cough a lot. Occasionally throughout the day I still feel that 'itchiness' in my lungs that tells me to go outside and smoke.

The other thing I hesitate to post, but maybe it is good for other potential ex-smokers/new snus-ers, relates to diet. As a smoker, I frequently skipped breakfast and often skipped lunch too. It was pretty normal to go all day without eating, because the nicotine killed the appetite. Snus, though, for me, also kills the appetite. And what I found is that swallowing the “snus juice” on an empty stomach really screwed up my plumbing for a couple days. So, even though I'm not hungry, I have to force myself to eat a bit throughout the day (which is better for you anyway) just to avoid the irregularity.

Overall, though, I am loving snus and plan on being smoke-free in a few months if not sooner. I am hoping that snus will, as I've read from many of you, naturally reduce my craving for cigarettes over time.

Now I just have to convince my wife that this really is a safer, healthier alternative to smoking!

[TBD]

The intestinal issue will go away after a couple of days. A lot of us had the same problem when we first switched. Ettan is one of my top 3 favs.

Welcome to the forum. And the world of snus. Try the Phantom!

[Starcadia]

Wow, meta, greatest first post I've seen here. Congratulations on finding your way to snus, and, especially, away from cigarettes. Welcome to the boards!

[mercvrivs]

Welcome, and thanks for sharing about your adventures with snus. It always brings back fond memories for me, establishing the new snus rituals and what not. Why not set a goal for yourself. After you've snused for a certain amount of time, promise yourself a new order in which you can restock on favorites and try some new varieties!

[sagedil]

meta, first, let me say welcome to the forums.

Now let me give you the same advice I give everyone else about smoking, and moving to snus. Just don't stress it. Smoke when you want, use snus when you want. If youy are like me and about 97.5%of the rest of us that quit smoking when we started using snus, it will just happen naturally.

I started using snus close to 2 years ago. I really had no intention of quitting cigarettes. But over about the first month, I simply smoked less and less as I came to love snus instead. then one day, I just stopped buying cigarettes. the snus was just better for me. Every blue moon, i still have a smoke. but now, it is because I WANT to,, not NEED to. And the best part, that one cigarettes never leads to a 2nd, as I am already getting my nicotine. Still, especially with a friend, i still like the social aspect of smoking. These days, I would be surprised if i even had one cigarrette a month.

So again, don't even think much about it. just use what you want at the moment. And like just about everyone here, soon you won't even want the cigarettes any more.

[jnkyo07]

lungs

the itching in your lungs is most likely the little cilia in your lungs cleaning out. you'll probably feel things like this for up to a month, or something.

welcome to the raddest forum online!

[Mr. Snuffleupagus]

Welcome! Nice posts. I've been off the ciggs for a month now using snus. Like Sage said, don't be too hard on yourself. Sounds like you are on track for sure. Just keep it up and you'll be a pro snuser in no time.

[meta]

Now let me give you the same advice I give everyone else about smoking, and moving to snus. Just don't stress it. Smoke when you want, use snus when you want. If youy are like me and about 97.5%of the rest of us that quit smoking when we started using snus, it will just happen naturally.

I hate to single you out (as others here have contributed to my quest as well), but your posts on this forum have been supportive, informative and quite influential in my move to snus. And I'm following the advice you've given to others.. and now me... to not sweat it.

It will come, my wife will be happy, my kid will have a decent role-model and I will still be a free bird.

[meta]

Re: lungs

the itching in your lungs is most likely the little cilia in your lungs cleaning out. you'll probably feel things like this for up to a month, or something.

welcome to the raddest forum online!

Thanks, man. Now I have something to look forward to!

[meta]

The intestinal issue will go away after a couple of days. A lot of us had the same problem when we first switched. Ettan is one of my top 3 favs.

Welcome to the forum. And the world of snus. Try the Phantom!

Thanks for the welcome. The intestinal/plumbing issues are much better today.

Thus far, Ettan is my fav. Compared to the others, it's like having Sam Adams, Killians and MGD in the fridge. At any given time, I might crave one over the other. But if stranded on an island for 6 months, I'd choose the Sam Adams. With snus, I'd choose Ettan.

[sagedil]

I hate to single you out (as others here have contributed to my quest as well), but your posts on this forum have been supportive, informative and quite influential in my move to snus. And I'm following the advice you've given to others.. and now me... to not sweat it.

It will come, my wife will be happy, my kid will have a decent role-model and I will still be a free bird.

No, please do single me out, my ego enjoys it. :wink:

Seriously, I really do appreciate what you said. Obviously, I long ago stopped needing snuson to answer any questions I might have, but my passion for this forum, and the folks who are here has only grown. I enjoy the role I play, it makes me feel better. Feel better about myself, and feel better about the world in general.

Snus can be intimidating. It is not common for most folks around the world. I think it is somewhat of a big jump for someone to give it a try. If I can do anything that helps ease that process, I have done good. And one day, when I am done in this world, and chatting with God. If he asks me about all the time I spent here, I will tell him I hope I helped a few people make the transition to something that was far healthier for both them AND their families.

I suspect God might approve of that.


Please keep us in te loop on how things are progressing for you meta

[TBD]

Now let me give you the same advice I give everyone else about smoking, and moving to snus. Just don't stress it. Smoke when you want, use snus when you want. If youy are like me and about 97.5%of the rest of us that quit smoking when we started using snus, it will just happen naturally.

I hate to single you out (as others here have contributed to my quest as well), but your posts on this forum have been supportive, informative and quite influential in my move to snus. And I'm following the advice you've given to others.. and now me... to not sweat it.

It will come, my wife will be happy, my kid will have a decent role-model and I will still be a free bird.

Alright! Enough sucking up to sage. You'll give him a bigger head. :lol:

[Ainkor]

Welcome aboard meta!