Not Quittin' Smoking

[southeast-isher]

Sorry yes the forum is a bit busy - there is some info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snus

[Millymollymandy]

Thanks - blimey - illegal - gosh How silly, given that cigarettes haven't been banned!

[southeast-isher]

In the UK i think it's legal to import for personal use. The EU thing is like banning bow and arrows but allowing machine guns to be used.

[gregorach]

Is it just tobacco? Ain't it the same as shoving a load of chewing baccy in your cheek then (if you can even buy such a thing)? Or just shove an unlit fag in yer gob and suck it!

According to a GP of my acquaintance who uses it occasionally, it's processed differently so that it does not contain the tobacco-specific nitrosamines (or at least, not at such high levels), which are the major carcinogens in most tobacco products.

[Millymollymandy]

The funny thing is Wikipedia said it had been banned in most of the EU because it is carcinogenic. That's why I laughed cos what are cigarettes then?

[southeast-isher]

I bought a pack of 20 cigarettes today for the first time this year to see what i'm missing - pah! They're the worst way to smoke possible and for me roll-ups are only marginally better. I'm not saying Swedish snus full-time is a good thing but gregorach is right in the respect that they are (pasteurised i believe) and much less harmful than cigarettes. Certainly good even if you only get a tub for next time you are on a flight and can't smoke. Now, where are my cigars?!

[Millymollymandy]

So what is better for taking away the 'need a cigarette' feeling - the rub on your hands stuff or the snus?

And where do you get the snus if it is illegal in most of the EU?

I could do with something just for when it is inconvenient to smoke - although stuffing a tea bag inside my lip when I am in polite company and gasping might appear a bit odd. How long do you leave it there and does it affect your ability to talk, drink coffee etc?

I like having you as my guinea pig.

[southeast-isher]

The rub in your hand stuff is not a patch on snus in my opinion but it might work for you.

I got my snus from http://www.swedish-snus.com/ and i have a feeling it is legal to import for personal use but whether that is the case in France i don't know.

(for your first order i recommend Skruf Stark portions as a good one to try)

I attended an evening talk on Plato and was amongst non-smokers so i put a snus in - yes it can make you feel a bit self-conscious but if you look in the mirror it doesn't really notice, especially with practice. But, on a flight it would be my best nicotine option. But in a gathering where you have to chat with people maybe you'd want to slip to the toilet and take the snus pouch out.

If you struggle to get any i can send a tin down to you as i have seven in the fridge. I must admit i haven't been using the hand wash NicoGel product for a while, but i still have lots here.

I only take 3 or 4 snus a day but some people keep one in 85% of the day i've read in the forums! Everything in moderation i say.

[southeast-isher]

There's an advert for snus here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOuohDCUxzw

[southeast-isher]

I can speak with a snus in but you'd be best off trying it by getting a tin. You can drink coffee with it in your top lip. But if you're worried an/or self-conscious when with people then the NicoGel on the hands might be better though for me snus is much more satisfying and maybe even consistent.

[Millymollymandy]

I'll look into the snus when I get back from holiday. Think of me out in the cold and rain having a ciggy - at least at home I have my grotty cellar cum mudroom where we go to smoke - it's cold but dry and a lot warmer than outside. I just think how much easier it would be to stuff some snus in my mouth and stay indoors.... Actually being serious I would like to see if can break the actual smoking habit without the climbing the walls needing nicotine bit, then I can think about stopping taking tobacco.

[Millymollymandy]

Oh I didn't realise that website was in the US! Thought it was sending the stuff out from Sweden.

[TheGoodEarth]

MMM have you considered that you may look like a hamster with all this snus stuff stuffed in your cheeks?

[southeast-isher]

I'm the same, i have a shelter from the rain but it's not everytime i fancy trekking out for a smoke - which is where snus comes in.

@TheGoodEarth: there's no looking like a hamster! It's just one small pouch in your upper-lip not your cheeks.

[southeast-isher]

The website might be in the US but it, i think, gets shipped from the distributor in Sweden i think... mine arrived in days.