Snorting powdered tobacco, or more commonly, snuffing and sniffing, can be quite pleasurable and satisfying when performed correctly.  The degree of satisfaction will differ greatly between individuals as the quality of an individuals technique will vary greatly.   Many new snuffers have the misconception that snuff is less efficient than some other smoking alternatives like Snus and chewing tobacco.  However, some snuffers tested clinically achieved higher blood serum levels of nicotine than both snussers and cigarette smokers alike.  Snuff makes for an excellent NRT in those who are able to master the skill and a frustrating one for those who haven’t.

Before snuffing can become a total replacement the cigarette smoker needs some patience and practice in order to receive an adequate supply of nicotine.  The casual toffeenose who isn’t addicted to cigarettes or chew generally has a relatively low addiction and doesn’t need the copious amounts of nicotine smokers require.  Many snuff makers concentrate on flavor and ease of use to satisfy this longtime clientele.   The burgeoning popularity of smoke-free tobacco alternatives has smokers looking for an instant replacement and are often frustrated with some of these more popular products.

While finding a strong Snuff is an important step for those interested in giving this old habit a try, mastery of the “art of snuffing” is first and foremost.  Snuff is not simply snorted as any powdered tobacco getting into the nasal cavity itself will be met with searing pain that unfortunately has newbies quickly opting for another NRT.  Snuff is sniffed, lightly at first until the newbie feels confident and progresses to gradually increase the dose.  Beginner Snuff products, while being fairly low in nicotine, will teach the new snuffer the correct form without much risk of a painful and premature end to their new hobby.  These moist and highly flavored snuffs are also a pleasure to use and many an experienced snuffer will still keep them in daily rotation.

Once mastered, the new snuffer will have hundreds of choices of flavors, grinds and moisture levels to choose from.  Snuff has the largest array of products of any tobacco product and experimentation is part of the fun.  The cost of snuffing is another plus and is a fraction of any other tobacco product.   The heaviest of snuffers would have a hard time sniffing more than a couple dollars worth a day and most spend even less than that.    It goes without saying tobacco Nazi’s will jump all over this too, spreading  misinformation and confusing oral tobacco studies with snuff.  It’s highly doubtful the low tax rate currently enjoyed by snuffers will go unpunished once it becomes popular and profitable.  Ironically, the 80 some year old tradition of keeping a filled Snuffbox in our Senate exists to this day.

Some great snuff resources:

Snuffhouse forum

Snufftalk info and forum

Snuffbox info site

The point of these ads is becoming closer and closer to anti-smoking rhetoric.  The general strategy is to quote inflammatory junk science that groups such as ASH use to propagate and increase hostility between smokers and the rest of the world.  The ads that make smoker’s crave a smoke, that’s no joke.   The hostility being used in turn to incite the naive do-gooders and nanny types to raise Cain against smokers (who pay their salaries by the way) and keep on keeping on with the malfeasance.  That these idiots are using this junk science is not surprising, all’s fair in war and marketing.   But, that these new “ex-smokers” take these views to heart  is beyond ludicrous.  Just months prior they were refuting the junk science and propaganda that has recently swayed them to the Dark Side.   Where’s their pride, much less character?   In effect, they’re admitting themselves fools and that anti sentiment has been right all along,  if that’s the case, why quote fictitious studies?  What a bunch of spineless sheople.

Not that their ineffectiveness wasn’t enough to avoid these new toys but the guilt by association with the new ex-smoking traitors is more than I could bear.  When I had quit smoking those seven years, several years ago, I never allowed myself to don the cap of the anti.  That’s an easy temptation to fall for, the superiority over a whole class of people by one’s own act of quitting.  I couldn’t quit using one of these things much less do a 180 in my convictions.  I need nicotine and I don’t relish in the “look” of being a smoker, which is essentially what these things do accomplish.  I remember the kids in smokers court of my youth who would follow their smoking friends into the smoking areas and make a  dramatic show of smoking, to be “cool” I suppose.  Funny that they picked up a little addiction too, serves em right.   I think the e-cig is a great thing for these folks, to keep up the “illusion of smoking” when they were never very heavy smokers to begin with.

Smoking isn’t something anyone takes pride in.  Smoking is a profound addiction that neither candy cigarettes nor faux electronic smoke will easily cure.   Looks like these vendors are trying to swell the ranks of the anti’s with new recruits though.  Wonder how long the probationary period for ex-smokers is before regaining full human status in the anti’s eyes, how much re-education is needed before full re-admission.   Looks like hypocrisy is good for a few brownie points to start.

I bought one of these devices more out of curiosity than anything else but was very excited at the prospect of smoking in the faces of the antis inside their newly commandeered safe havens; restaurants and believe it or not NON SMOKING bars?  Good for at least a few giggles and maybe a exhibition or two, waving my perfectly legal alternative in front of the smoke Nazi’s (that are forcing our hand in the first place).   The unit does accomplish this to some degree; create the optical illusion of smoking.   How does it taste though, and more importantly, feel?  In testing the unit I bought, a generic copy of the “Yentyl”,  one of the more popular available,  that ran about $100.00 along with two brands of the highest “test” smoke juice and cartridge system available at the time;  24mg per ml.  Total cost; about $140.00,  I wanted this to work.

Although not being one of the most expensive units available, the unit I bought performed quite well.  From what I gather,  many of these units are manufactured side by side and labeled or, like mine, not labeled, hence generic.  This device created prodigious clouds of vapor which reasonably emulated smoke, visually at least.  The taste in both samples was slight and dissimilar from any tobacco product I’ve ever had, but not altogether unpleasant.  The feel of the vapor is lacking compared to real smoke, really almost no feel as to be and irritatingly light.  There was no lungfeel either, one of the great pleasures of smoking is missing.   There is a slight discomfort that can be compared to real smoke,  I suppose a result of inhaling vaporized PG/glycerin,  that is arguably comforting.   The deal maker, or breaker in this case is however nicotine satisfaction.

Remember, I was using two popular smoke juices containing the highest nicotine content available at the time; 24mg/ml.   One in liquid form to be dripped directly onto the atomizer, the other,  a cartridge which screws onto the unit and resembles the filter of a cigarette when in place.   I alluded to “advertised” nicotine content earlier and the reason why is that,  after over 60(!) inhalations, when I should be in the last throws of nicotine poisoning or at the very least (5-10 recommended), flopping around like a freshly boated fish,  clutching at my chest and hurriedly making peace with my Maker,  I was still hankerin for a smoke!  That did it for me, these devices didn’t deliver enough nicotine, even in mega doses,  to catch a case of the hiccups.   I didn’t do this seemingly foolhearty act on my first trial.  After dozens of tries “the recommended way” I grew frustrated and slowly built up and eventually realized it didn’t matter how many puffs I took.  I stopped at 50, 60 and finally 80 to give what I feel was a fair trial and experienced no bad reactions whatsoever.

I was disappointed to say the least that a 24mg/ml cartridge which claims to equal a pack of smokes can be finished in a sitting without the discomfort normally associated with nicotine poisoning much less the stroke or heart attack that it mathematically and biologically demanded.  Not even a bit of discomfort.  This could mean several things I suppose;   The absorption of nicotine is not linear; meaning 24mg inhaled is not nearly that much ingested.  This is a reasonable theory as nicotine isn’t linear in any other format neither, save injection.   It could also mean the cartridge does not contain nearly as much, if any, of the nicotine advertised.   Or, maybe the nicotine is destroyed in the process  (which seems unlikely because the element is at a much lower temp than a burning cigarette).  Nope, I can only surmise the manufacturer are using a “magical” nicotine with much different properties from the nicotine we are normally exposed and accustomed to.    All kidding aside, I did feel a little dizzy but attribute that to the diligent and repetitive breathing procedure used during the test, like breathing into a paper bag.  One use I suppose could be to ingest massive doses of carbon dioxide which might prove beneficial for sudden panic attack syndrome, or  SPAS.

Will this invention help smokers quit?  I’m no doctor nor an expert other than the anecdotal knowledge acquired from a rather heavy, near 30 year affair with nicotine.  It does seem to assuage the cravings in a percentage of the smokers who try it.  Some claim it’s effects are profound….. but then, some smokers don’t inhale and others get by with ultra-lights. I can’t empathize with either of them.   If replacing the ritualistic needs of smokers is the prime concern then this device has promise.  Personally, I need rather large doses of nicotine on a regular schedule throughout the day to maintain my addiction.  The magic doesn’t work on me.   I admit, I fell for the idea of a confrontation or two with self-righteous, judgemental smoke Nazi’s and that’s where the appeal of this electronic cigarette lay for me.   These gadgets seem to me little more than the snake oils and magic potions of yesteryear.   Again, it does somehow seem to work for some and more power to them, hypnosis works for some too.

Perhaps in the future after lab tests, reliability issues and performance being improved this device will warrant a second look.   Till then it does work to raise eyebrows and stir up a little controversy at least in today’s politically correct, health Naziistic society that prevails    With any luck by then this hypocritical and prejudiced movement will have collapsed under it’s own bloated weight.  In the end, as they do work for some so if you have an extra couple hundred dollars laying around, give one a try.  Just don’t expect this to be anything like smoking nor satisfy in the same way.