Snus in UK?

[LiamT]

Hi!
I'm a UK student doing research on Swedish snus. Wondering if there are any UK snus users here? I'm looking to hear people's stories about how they started, how often they take snus, if it helps them smoke less etc. Would love to hear from you guys!

Liam

 

[firechick]

Hello Liam! Welcome to the "other side of the tracks". I don't recall any UK visitors, but there are a few long term snus users here. I would say that using snus definitely reduces smoking and allows you to go much longer between cigarettes if you are in a sitation where smoking isn't possible. Most of the folks who hang out in here have quit smoking entirely using snus and occasional vaping.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[rothenbj]

Hi Liam, I agree with FC. I've been on here for 8 1/2 years and haven't seen anyone from across the pond although I did 5 or 6 business trips to Windsor when I was working taking up residence in Windsor Castle Hotel.

My history was of a 43 year, 2.5 PAD smoking history. Was talked into trying an e cig back in '09 by my gf. It got me down to about 6 cigarettes a day for about six months. Around that time the cigarette count started climbing a bit and I thought the quit attempt would go down like the other two dozen or so attempts I had lost in the past.

I talked with a fellow who was talking about this strange sounding stuff that I had never heard of and got directed over to the dark side. Completely propagandized to the fact that smokeless was worse than smoking but persuaded by what I was hearing, particularly the "no spitting" effect of snus, I decided to investigate.

I did about a month of researching the medical stuff and was convinced to try it. Unfortunately, it was nowhere to be found in the States. I finally decided to put in a big order, around $200, of a variety of rolls from Sweden. Waiting for it to arrive, a convenience store got the US made Camel snus and I bought a can. That was Feb 15th of '10. As bad as it was compared to Swedish snus, that signified the moment I no longer needed even a single cigarette and I haven't had one since.

Now I'm not saying the habit was totally crushed as, on occasion, something inside would get that craving. However I crushed that with nasal snuff that I had tried by reference from fellow snusers. It's now been years since I have even had those cravings. I still vape very infrequently, most often in a pub. I usually go through a can of 24 in around 4 days or so. I was at 3-4 portions for years but that edged up to 5 or 6 do mostly to looking for some flavor and I generally snus 7/24 as I like my dream state on snus.

Hope that helps.

 

[stols001]

I use snus when I can't vape. I'm in the US also. I find it helpful and useful.

Anna

 

[hittman]

Hello Liam. I started out in 09 by buying a cigalike ecig after seeing a short story on a local news station. Both of my parents had Copd from smoking and I knew that if I didn't do something then I was going to end up like them. I actually quit for a month or two with only vaping. I started slipping back to smoking. First it was one, then two, then more. Vaping alone just wasn't doing the trick and I posted on the forum for help. I was directed to the smokeless section and tried my first snus. It was like I was in a dark room and someone turned on the light. I've always felt like I had a high tolerance for nicotine and at one point I was regularly vaping 32mg liquid, using 6-8 portions of snus, and using nasal snuff. It has been a really tough road for me. I even started using WTA liquid regularly. Over time I've cut out the nasal snuff and only use WTA occasionally. I still vape regularly but have cut my nicotine level down to 12mg and use 5-7 portions of snus a day. Snus has been a godsend for me. I don't think there's any way I could have quit smoking without it. It's been a real roller coaster ride over the past 8-9 years but I feel like I'm in a good place now.

 

[Pikeybarsteward]

Well I m in the UK but I think I ve already spoken to LiamT on another forum .

I first read about swedish snus on ECF around 2009ish . I think it was Tropical Bob . I ve been following this forum on and off for many years but I ve never been much of a contributor on ECF ...though I am active on a couple of UK forums .

I ve been messing about with smokeless tobacco since 2011ish . When I was growing up nasal snuff was still a thing in parts of the UK so I already had some exposure to that . I used snus and snuff as a supplement to vaping for a few years but after a while my lungs wern't appreciating the vapour like they used to . Around winter of 2015 I started doing a lot more nasal snuff . Almost unconsciously I switched over to snuff and snus .

Last year or so I ve been using quite a bit of Swedish style Snus . It's sale is banned in the EU so I m quite limited by brands . I strongly favour regular strength los .Portions dont suit me much . I do use them but only for economy .
I m just finishing off a a pot of Offroad Gold los, which in my opinion, is a decent budget snus .

Really , nasal snuff is my thing.There's no tax on it in the UK so I can snuff like a King for very little money . Since I discovered online snuff dealers I ve become a right enthusiast . Snus is more practical but ,for me , kinda boring . I genuinely love the snuff as much as smoking .

It's pretty bleak for a UK snuser . The EU Tobacco Products Directive has closed up many of the sources for online snus . There's some challenge to the ban in the Euro courts at the moment but I m not that hopeful for a favourable outcome . The tobacco control policy game is rigged over here .

 

[rothenbj]

Hey Pikey. I hear you on the snuff. I used that for awhile when the cravings got uncomfortable even with the snus and vaping. The instant hit would take the edge off. I used to carry a little container for "emergencies" but as the months of not having that feeling went by, I stopped carrying it.

It's a shame the EU is so controlling.