Snus - a newbie perspective

[BostonMark]

A number of gorillas have been asking recently about Swedish Snus, which according to wikipedia is: a moist powder tobacco product that is consumed by placing it under the upper lip for extended periods of time. It is used in a manner similar to American dipping tobacco, but typically does not result in the need for spitting. Snus is also unique in that it is steam-cured rather than fire-cured, is not fermented and contains no added sugar. Snus is manufactured and consumed primarily in Sweden and Norway, and is being test-marketed in several other countries.

It is hard to find any Swede of age that does not snus almost constantly (at least thats the case in the town I live in), so it has been unheard of for me to be living here for the last eight months and not even try it yet. Well tonight that all changes. I bought a can of Göteborg's Rape, a very typical and popular Swedish snus brand, and popped a portion (a little 24 gram baggie) under my upper left lip.



First thoughts: Well, it doesn't taste as bad as it smells, so thats good. The taste is very distinctive, almost like salt licorice. It doesn't make you salivate at all, so the taste isn't very apparent unless you put your tongue up near your upper gum. It starts to burn a little bit after about a minute, and my friend (a swede) said that is normal. I can start to feel the nicotine in my head after about two minutes, and the burning plateaus. I start to get dizzy after about five minutes and have to take it out. Definitely makes your breath smell like snus. You can't taste it anymore much unless you tongue your lip, but your breath smells like the inside of the can. The little used snus holder on the top of the can is a nice touch.

The nicotine feeling builds for a couple minutes after I take the snus out, and as I am writing this (an hour later) I can feel it.

I probably won't do it again tonight, but I will definitely finish off the can and update you on my experience with it. Snus is supposed to be much safer than other smokeless tobacco because it is steam cured, but is very addictive because of how effectively it gets the nicotine into the system. I will try to not get addicted, but if so I know guys that have bought tobacco free snus (which looks and tastes EXACTLY the same) and gone 50/50 in a can until they got off of it.

If you are interested in trying snus, you can purchase samplers or logs of snus from www.northerner.com



-Mark

[earnold25]

well that's similar to my experience with american dip, skoal, etc.

after about 5 minutes i had to get rid of it for fear of losing my lunch as my head was spinning so bad.

[croatan]

I'm turning into a pretty big snus fan. Great for a little nicotine high while at work. I leave mine in for closer to twenty or thirty minutes, though. I double snused for the first time last week (used two pouches at once)--now that gives a pretty good jolt

[68TriShield]

I prefer nasal snuff...
I got this from kayak rat.A shot of this lasts for a couple hours.(for me)
http://www.marscigars.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=103

[croatan]

Originally Posted by 68TriShield

I prefer nasal snuff...

I like that, too. Always keep some in my briefcase and on my keyring. tGood to have options, though.

Both at the same time can be fun, as well

[68TriShield]

Originally Posted by croatan

I like that, too. Always keep some in my briefcase and on my keyring. tGood to have options, though.

Both at the same time can be fun, as well

I edited to add the snuff I have

James,you sir are a nut

[wh0re]

Camel and Marlboro both make this now too

[BostonMark]

Originally Posted by wh0re

Camel and Marlboro both make this now too

They are indeed test marketing it in the states, but the marlboro and camel snus is a lot less potent than its Swedish counterpart.

[Puffin Fresh]

A local cigar shop has the sweedish stuff here. I've never tried it but I've bought it for another gorilla here.

[King James]

I dip Grizzly and tried snus once and didn't get a buzz or anything. I think chewing tobacco delivers more nicotine and a bigger buzz, which is probably why I couldn't get anything out of the snus. Was interesting though and not having to spit was nice, although I think I did a few times anyways out of habit

[SR Mike]

Nasal snuff...

I saw guy try that for the first time. He put a dab on his finger, took a sniff, then started hacking like crazy. Funniest thing I ever saw. To add to the humor, he wishes he never tried it, even funnier, he told himself in the past he would never try it. Hindsight 20/20? Well he was right (for himself).

[WyoBob]

I think it's a big mistake to try this stuff. I was hooked on Skoal for 40 years. It is very, very addictive. After trying to kick the habit many times, I was finally able to do so four years ago. It was the toughest thing I've ever done. I don't dare take another chew because I know (from past experience) I'd be instantly hooked again.

WyoBob