Quitting smoking and depression

[olderthandirt]

TB, thank you for the advice. The only snus that I have seen before is the camel kind that they have at gas stations and convenience stores. I tried to read some of th posts today talking about snus and other alternatives. I am thinking that I should try the snus but don't know what kind or strength to look for. Any advice is welcomed.

There are 2 or 3 threads in the Smokeless Tobacco forum with "recommendations" in the title. Whole bunch of other info as well!

From what I've learned so far you should probably start with an average nic content and milder flavors. Branch out from there.

Traditional Swedish process uses, among other flavorings, salt and oil of Bergamot. Those are the first things IMO that can hit a new user in a negative manner. After a short period of time you don't notice the salt, but a low salt snus would be good for starters

Average nic is 8mg.

What I consider milder in taste would be Ettan Original and a new one to me, Fielder & Lundgrens' Granit.
Bit stronger in salt and tobacco flavor but still on the mild side is General Original or Swedish Matchs' Lab Series 01.

I've used the following vendors and readily endorse them all.
The Northerner, largest selection, in Sweden, reasonable to average prices and shipping costs.

GetSnus, smaller selection than Northerner, in Pennsylvania, better prices and fast cheap shipping. They will use UPS for orders over $20 so if you go over that amount e-mail them to specify USPS

ClubSnus, really small selection but should be expanding in the next month or so. Located in San Francisco they've got the best prices of the bunch. Because they are small the customer service I've seen and personally experienced is fantastic!

HTH hittman, Enjoy!

 

[hittman]

Thanks older! I take it you can't buy any of the ones you mentioned in tobacco shops or any where local? I really appreciate all of the advice. It is just hard for me to find alot of time to read all of the threads that I should.

 

[olderthandirt]

Not a lot of places carry the Swedish brands in the states. pretty much online is the only way to go..

 

[hittman]

So is the camel kind not very good compared to the ones you mentioned?

 

[TropicalBob]

If a tobacco store does carry snus, your choice will be limited. General distributes in the U.S. through tobacco stores, but they tend to be hard to find. There's a map somewhere that allows you to find the one closest to you. Google it for an address.

The closest to me is 60 miles away -- and prices are through the roof. I order online from getsnus or Northerner.

I'd start with General Mini Mint or the white Ettan mini. If you like sweet, order some Discreet snus (made in the U.S.). You didn't say if you liked the Camel; some do, some don't. I do, but it's too expensive for so few snus.

 

[hittman]

I have never tried any snus before TB.

 

[TropicalBob]

OK. You'll probably read that the Camel is "too sweet" and "not strong enough". Now, I like sweet and salty, my two favorites. I do not like sour and bitter, which some Swedish snus tend to be. So I like Camel and find it has enough nicotine to keep me amused a half-hour to an hour.

The General Mini Mint is not as sweet, but holds flavor for an hour or more. I find that I do not crave anything while using it. Other, stronger snus, might make you a little dizzy or lightheaded, so I'd start low and move up if need be.

Snus are not terribly expensive, so order a few starter tins and see which ones you like. If you don't like one immediately, put it aside and try it again in two days. Works like a charm for many people, myself included.

In the beginning, avoid anything with the word "sterk" -- strong. Avoid "regular" portions, which make you chipmonk-cheeked like a chewer.

I'd try Oomph Citrus and Menthol, General Mini Mint, Discreet Peach and Strawberry, Ettan and maybe Claq Qui (pretty darn strong, so be careful). The last two are pure tobacco flavors.

Have fun.

 

[Stubby]

This was mentioned by OTD but I'll repeat. Add a can or two of Lab 01 in the mix. It has a slightly different shape then regular snus, a bit longer and narrower, and many, including myself find it more comfortable. Also a mild taste which should suit beginners very well. I see that you used to smoke 1 to 1 1/2 packs a day so you shouldn't have any problems with standard strength snus (8 mg nicotine).

Don't be shy on coming on down to the smokeless tobacco section of this forum. Only rule is leave the spittoon at the door.

 

[hittman]

Thanks again everyone. I stopped on my way to work this morning and got a sample tin of the camel snus just to see if it is something that I will want to do. I am going to try one a little later. I am wondering what strength the camel is.

 

[olderthandirt]

....I am wondering what strength the camel is.

I have as yet to be able to get a firm number for the RJR Camel products. There were inferences that the first test products were 7.5mg/portion. I tried to contact RJR directly through there web-site and by phone. Nothing on website and the guy I spoke with told me everything about it except the nic content!

Another forum member told me the nic content was changed throughout the various market tests. Supposed to have started at 7.5 and what was currently being marketed is 3.5mg/portion. Unfortunately that member could not cite references.

I've not looked around recently, I'd like to know myself just to know. It will certainly give you an idea about what using a snus portion entails.

You may even like it!

 

[hittman]

Well OTD, I tried one of the camel frost snus a little while ago. The flavor is ok but what I noticed after about 15 minutes is that I kinda got the satisfied feeling that I got from smoking and suddenly felt alert like I did when I smoked regularly. I guess that I did not realize that I was not feeling as alert and thinking as clearly since whatever chemicals I was not getting had left me over time. I don't really want to get addicted to these like I was addicted to smoking but I think that they might be a good filler with vaping in between strong cravings. I don't know if the nic level is very high or not but I can definitely tell the difference between this and vaping. I am thinking that it was not that I was not getting enough nic but that I was missing the other stuff. However, I have to wonder if a higher nic level would help me past the cravings too.

 

[olderthandirt]

.. I noticed after about 15 minutes is that I kinda got the satisfied feeling that I got from smoking...
did not realize that I was not feeling as alert and thinking as clearly since whatever chemicals I was not getting had left me over time. I don't really want to get addicted to these like I was addicted to smoking but I think that they might be a good filler with vaping in between strong cravings...

Alertness, clarity in thinking and focus are all aspects of the withdrawal from smoking.

As Tropical Bob mentioned, the snus is relatively cheap so it's not a big deal financially to pursue and see how it works for you.

As for taste and nicotine you simply have to try a variety to see what you may like. As example, T Bob likes some of the Discreet flavors but I find all of them nasty. Several folks only use snus that is 11mg/portion or higher but I stay with the snus that is 8mg, the higher stuff doesn't agree with me at all! Different tastes, needs.

I just took a look at getsnus and this sampler strikes me as a good one to try:
General Original Portion Sampler - GetSnus.com
If you do choose to try something from getsnus they do offer 1 free can to first time buyers. Look for that on the website!

As for your concern with acquiring an addiction to another tobacco product, I have little to offer on that one hittman.
Perhaps staying with the RJR Camel that's available to you now and only using a portion when your absolutely climbing the walls would be a wise consideration.

 

[TropicalBob]

Hittman, you even got the timing right. Good observations. Cigarettes hit your brain within 7 seconds. Instant feedback and quick gratification. Nothing else does that. Not anything from Big Pharma, not a cigar, not a pipe, not snus.

What snus does is release nicotine through your mucus membranes to your bloodstream, a journey that takes about 15 minutes to travel to your brain and register. But, once in your bloodstream, the nicotine tends to stay longer (why, I do not know). You will not have those sharp peaks and valleys that cigarette smoking produces.

In fact, regular use of snus (one an hour or fewer) will maintain a blood level almost equal to a cig every 30 minutes. During the "off" times, you won't experience the "falling off a cliff craving" that you do for cigarettes.

I could get by with Camel. It's just too expensive for me.

 

[hittman]

I can imagine that it could get quite expensive using the camel. The one I got was a sample pack and it was two dollars and some change. I am going to try using it at first as a filler between vaping for when I get a bad craving. I think I will check out some of the websites you and OTD mentioned to check some prices. Once again thank you!

 

[olderthandirt]

The shopping is the fun part for me hittman.
Pay attention when making selections for purchase that you get portions and not Los (loose).

Have fun!

 

[hittman]

Does los(loose) mean that it is not in a pouch?

 

[Stubby]

Does los(loose) mean that it is not in a pouch?

That's right, no pouch. It's in a loose form that is made into a pris (called baking). Some people swear by it and claim it taste better. As for myself, I'll take a pass. I tried it and it's portions all the way for me. I have no interest in mud slides (what happens when a pris breaks apart and you get loose snus everywhere in your mouth).

 

[hittman]

Yeah Stubby, that does not sound like fun at all. Especially with me wearing braces right now. I know you are probably thinking why but I had some teeth move around on me over the years which caused some problems so the solution is to wear braces for two years to get things straightened out.

 

[hittman]

Well, yesterday after using one snus, I did not have an urge to smoke the rest of the day and only used my pv. The hardest time that I am having getting past a craving now seems to be first thing in the morning with that first cup of coffee.

 

[olderthandirt]

...The hardest time that I am having getting past a craving now seems to be first thing in the morning with that first cup of coffee.

Best time for the snus!
Tuck a portion in place and let the coffee bring it to life for you.