How is Snus catching up in rest of the world?

[tom502]

Well, we all have a dislike of the US Camel snus(most it seems), but I do think we all can agree it's been a great gateway "snus" that has led people to find real snus, and maybe without this Camel snus, these shops wouldn't even have a General cooler. I think Europe would have a better reation to acceptance of snus, even in non snus countries, as they don't have the big dip and dip pouches tradition that we have in the US. And I think this is true, and one reason I never liked dip, is snus does not give that strong and harsh and burning feel and hard hitting, I guess nicotine. I mean, when I tried dip, it hurt my mouth and made me feel nauses, and I didn't like that, plus the mess of spitting, and snus doesn't have that. I think General also should try and advertise more, offer free cans at shops, whatever they can do, because they have to make a mark and get people on the snus wagon if they are gonna take off here. I know smokers and they just wanna smoke, or they say they wanna quit, but are not open to oral tobacco, I think because it has such a strong mind connection to dip, and the initial taste of real snus is different than what Americans are used to. I gave an Ettan to a smoker buddy of mine, and he kept it in a little, but I could tell he wasn't digging it and I told him he didn't have to keep it in if he didn't like it, and he shortly removed it. But General has set up shop in the US, they are even making their products in Kentucky now. I hope they don't fail, but to introduce a new and different and foreign product to a smoker or dipper inclined population seems like an up hill battle.

[chossy]

I live in the burbs of Chicago, and I am lucky in the fact that, if anything happens where I can't get snus online, I have a shop just a few miles a way that sells General.

I think snus use is growing here. The shop that I can get it at, would always have out of date tins, but the last few times, the fridge has been moved to the front more, and every tin is fresh. Looks like more and more are getting into it, and they are keeping it stocked now.

I have seen a few people use the American camel garbage, and I swear that every one of the fridges that has it (and it is almost every gas station here), routinely sells out. I'm hoping the people that try it get curious and then google snus and find out there is a whole BETTER world of Swedish snus.

Chossy, I can't believe that you, actually LIVING in Sweden (sometimes I curse my grandparents for coming to America because of snus) actually uses Offroad. I have not tasted one that I like at all.

Let us know what you think though of the "new" ones you are trying. I am a huge fan of Skruf Stark los, Onyx, and Grov Svart. Glad you are here!

Hi JC

I´m glad you have a place close by if heaven forbid you have a snus emergency

I´m gonna level with you, I don´t "like" Phantom or Off Road, but the difference in price is quite big, almost double the price for other Cheap brands like LD, although I admitedly bought Level instead off Phantom today, 2 rolls of it, cause he was out of stock on the V2 brands, that cost me 175 SEK = 22-23 USD per roll. So I might endure that from now as it´s not that expensive. But I can´t get myself to use The premium brands on fulltime here, it costs too much, as I consume 5-6 tins a week.


One funny thing is I see the are several brands labeled as " STERK " indicating strong, I´m not sure if that´s how you spell strong in danish or norwegian, but in swedish it should be "stark" Oh well funny nonetheless

[shikitohno]

I'm pretty sure that's Norwegian, because I always screw it up, having only taken Norwegian classes. Somehow though, my Swedish is improving by watching Swedish films, while my Norwegian's rapidly deteriorating.

I think a lot of Americans haven't got a clue what snus is. Mostly, this is because of the disastrous launch of Camel Snus. Then again, I know some people who dip that have heard quite a bit, and want to try it, but don't know where to get it. I'm actually planning on giving my boss some at work, if he's there. I remember he said he ordered some before he turned 18, and his bank called his parents about a debit to Sweden. They didn't know he used dip, so they said it wasn't him. His order got cancelled, and his debit card was deactivated to keep the "identity thieves" from using it again.

[KarlvB]

One funny thing is I see the are several brands labeled as " STERK " indicating strong, I´m not sure if that´s how you spell strong in danish or norwegian, but in swedish it should be "stark" Oh well funny nonetheless

Sterk is strong in Afrikaans as well so whenever I am in a bar in South Africa people read the "Sterk" on the can and ask about it.

Oh and snus is definitely not taking off in South Africa. The only SM brands available down there are General White (regular and mini) and Catch Mini portions. There is also a South African version of Lucky Strike snus available (white portion only and a mini portion) and there used to be Peter Stuyvesant Red and Blue. The PS has been replaced by the most ridiculous mini portions http://www.wesleys.co.za/webshop/Pro...ID=48230&page=

I got some of the coffee ones last time I was down in SA. Tastes like candy so I binned it.

Hopefully they will continue to stock General White as I always pick up rolls when I am down there (ridiculously cheap), but last time I struggled to find any. Did manage to get hold of one roll but it was lost along with one of our bags which somehow never turned up in London.

[lxskllr]

I´m gonna level with you, I don´t "like" Phantom or Off Road, but the difference in price is quite big, almost double the price for other Cheap brands like LD, although I admitedly bought Level instead off Phantom today, 2 rolls of it, cause he was out of stock on the V2 brands, that cost me 175 SEK = 22-23 USD per roll. So I might endure that from now as it´s not that expensive. But I can´t get myself to use The premium brands on fulltime here, it costs too much, as I consume 5-6 tins a week.

I don't know what the prices are like over there, but if it's decent give Granit a try. It's like General but cheaper, and imo, better. I hate V2 portions, but the lös is pretty decent. If you're not too much against using lös, I think you may enjoy that more, even if it's just around the house or something.

[artsnus]

It is great to hear from someone from Sweden where snusing is not a novelty , but rather an every day mundane activity.
Most of the dippers of american snuff that I know just stick with one brand. I used to smoke only one brand of cigarettes unless I was tight on money - then I would look for stuff that 's on sale. As far as snusing 20 different brands I think it has a lot to do with novelty factor. I think even two years into can still be comsidered a discovery stage. The cans are so nicely designed, the price is low compare to premium american dip, almost every type of snus has a subtly different flavor (or not so subtly),the nicotine dosage can be carefully "self-administered" etc etc.
My office mates have tried snus and with mixed results. One of the dippers likes it and will probably switch to it if possible - it is more discreet and clean, the nicotine is very adequate. The other dipper might use it, but he appears to still prefer to dip. A smoker tried it and compared it with having a patch on, he is probably going to continue to smoke. Myself - I was dipping for a bit less than a year and dipping just wasn't sitting well with my system - I would get gastric stomach aches, my mouth was constantly irritated. Snus is working great for me. I prefer strong and extra strong portions, but lately I am getting more and more into ettan original portion. I will keep snusing as long as it is available and as long as my oral health appears to be reasonably ok.
Again - I appreciate you checking into the forum and your very informative posts. I think I will make this second snus fridge picture you posted into my computer background image.

[tom502]

I think the variety of snus is like the variety of snuff(nasal). I have my faves, but I like the variety, and would not want to only just do one kind and that's it. It also does have a novelty and collectablity about it. It's different and unique to us Americans. When I smoked I didn't collect different brands and switch off during the day, I smoked cuz I wanted to smoke, and I usually smoked the cheap crap. With snus, or snuff, it's a different experience to me.

[chossy]

Thanks alot for you´r input guys

Interesting to know that relatively many tobaccousers who try snus with an open mind and don´t dismiss it after 10 minutes seem to like it, not just the effect but the convenience of it, using indoors and discreetely enough noone will ever notice it.

You are definitely right about the novelty stage Artsnus, I too would think it´s great and really exciting, when you have something nobody else knows about In fact I almost wish it was so.

I really like the snusfridge pics myself, it´s a shame I dont have a better camera now but I´ll be sure to snap more pics like this and share em with those who like. And I do admit the second picture is pretty nice, I might use it on my desktop aswell

I never would have thought of trying other brands if it wasn´t for you guys here, it certainly was a nice change of taste and I think it was long overdue.

I went to Las Vegas summer 2006 and snused like hell all week playing poker and whatnot, amazingly noone ever asked me what it was, except some drunk swede who saw me. Well he didnt ask me what it was, he just asked for one :lol:

[artsnus]

Tom 502 - interesting point about switching snus vs switching cigarettes. I used to smoke marlboro. I smoked red for some years, then decided to switch to lights, this is the only consistent switch I was ever able to make.
I tried camel, Pall Mall, Winston, but somehow I just didn't stick with it. They all have good flavors and I don't see any reason why I wouldn't just switch between them all day long like I do with snus. I am not sure what the answer to this is though. at this point like most of the feloow members I have a freezer full of all kinds of snus, but do see myself sticking with one brand after all the novelty wears out and this becomes just another part my routine like smoking cigarettes was.

[dugup46]

I'm one of the rarities hah. I have never smoked, but decided to try the camel snus one day to see what it was all about (they market it like hell here, just doesnt sell). I was kind of disappointed but didn't know if it was something that would grow on me or not. Being the computer savvy guy I am, I looked toward the Internet for some answers. I came across the Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snus first, saw the risks were much lower, and that there were MANY different kinds.

After coming to this forum, I found some websites that sold Swedish Snus (which seemed the way to go) and figured eh why the hell not, I'll give it a try. I only ordered a General regular and General Extra Sterk and found that the taste, size, and (in the wrong way) the nicotine levels were much different. I was just stupid after my first GES, but quickly grew a tolerance.

Since I have opened my views, made a few more purchases and couldn't be happier with the quality of the Swedish snus. General, Claq, Nick & Johnny, Skurf, Catch, Odens - all had a unique flavor and provided a great additon to a cold glass of beer.

--- In saying all of that, I have been handing them out to a few friends, who are current smokers, and it seems like most of them actually enjoy it as well (one who will probably read this post heh). The two biggest factors from them (or what I think) is the cost benefit and the fact that it's much safer. I know my one buddy has already ordered the top 10 set from the Northener and seems as he is enjoying the differences as well.

I dont think it will catch on here in the U.S. until it's sold here, advertised, and people are willing to try more than 5 before just giving it up. The first few are rough with the higher salt content, flavors come off wrong, and it's not easily obtainable.

Just my two cents! Thanks for the post and the pics, great read as well.

[Roo]

What's up Swedes? Nice to see you guys here. The owner of the cigar store a block away from me claims to sell lots of General here in downtown Seattle. I have never seen anyone use it, but it's available at two shops here in Seattle. One of them is in Pike Place Market, the most popular tourist destination here in town. Maybe that will help get the word out...

But to answer your question, no one I talk to has ever heard of snus, not even Camel SNUS, even though there are signs and coolers of it in every convenience store. No one pays attention. Being a liberal, large city in coastal USA, oral tobacco does not have a very good reputation, so that is another reason why people don't even pay attention.

As for sterk/stark, my understanding is that some Swedish companies opt for the "sterk" spelling because strong snus appeals more to the Norwegian market. Don't take that as fact, it's just what I remember hearing. Cheers, and stick around! (and post more pics of your local snus selection! cool for us to see )

[MasterGuns]

Sweden must be like a good Twilight Zone episode with a happy ending to American Snusers...I never thought I'd ever want to visit until I started snusing.
I too am one of the few who was never an addict. I smoked cloves here and there, at parties and whatnot, the occasional cigar or hookah (still a fan of both BTW) was really all the smoking I ever did. Tried Camel, thought it was alright but being the curious college kid I am, I looked into it and found the real deal Swedish Snus. Been a big fan ever since, it's the only tobacco I use on a regular basis.
I hate having to explain to my friends who smoke every time snus comes up that no, it's not that camel crap you tried that one time, it's different. I have found that most of my friends who smoke/dip and try snus just aren't fans because it doesn't give them that quick five or ten minute jolt of nicotine. They leave it in for a few minutes, exclaim "this stuffs weak as hell, man" and toss it on the ground :cry: When describing it to a friend of mine, I related the buzz of snus to being more like smoking a cigar. The buzz is a relaxing, calming buzz, not a spin your head off your shoulders buzz. I told him that if he wanted that, try GES or Thunder, it'll do the job.
Other friends are turned off by the saltiness or flavor and never try it again. Being at college most people there are open-minded about this stuff, but most of them would rather just keep dipping a can and a half a day from the local corner store than go through the trouble of ordering snus from a website. Of my group of ten or so friends who snus, myself and one other are the only ones who actually buy the Swedish stuff. This has been my experience thusfar: laziness and convenience supersede reduced risk, quality, and variety. If they can keep dipping or smoking from the corner store, they will.

[chossy]

Hi Masterguns

Thanks for you´r reply.
I guess it´s hard for some to break patterns, after all there is plenty of smokers in Sweden who wouldn´t change to snus no matter what, so it would be strange if it was different anywhere else.

Now I´m getting curious to this american Camel stuff everyone is talking about lol, but I guess it´s out of reach :wink:

I just got back home and since I forgot my dear tin I had to buy something so Granite Whites for me, I´m expanding my views again

[chossy]

Hi Roo.

Great news if there´s a retailer selling lots of General in Seattle. It´s gotta start somewhere and hopefully those buying it will find other swedish brands on the internet and ask the retailer to get more brands in to his stock.

But I still think the best way to get the message out is to sell them at supermarkets or other larger stores as that would get the attention of most people, not just a select few.
Then again I don´t know if that would break some law, maybe thats why they sell them at cigarshops and other small outlets?

[MasterGuns]

Chossy,
If you're really curious about American Camel Snus, you can order it from the US Warehouse at Northerner.com, though I do NOT recommend it. Camel JTI has relased snus in Sweden, though, and it's much better.