What SNUS? Camel or Marlboro? What is SNUS?

Ok people, I know neither are probably any good for me, but… I have to do it. Well, maybe I don’t have to, but I feel as if I do. I am once again quitting smoking. Yes, I started back. Over the last 5 years, I have quit once for almost 1.5 years and another time for 6 months. Unfortunately, I have started back each time. I blame Linkin Park for my starting back the 1st time. I was in Los Angeles for an exclusive Linkin Park concert put on by Sandisk. I was using Skoal Pouches in place of cigarettes at this time. Would you believe how few convenience stores are on the Hollywood strip? To top that off, not one had what I needed. I bought smokes instead and it was game over.

The good news is that I have quit twice already, I know I can do it again.

This time I am going to try to do it with the help of SNUS instead of nasty Skoal and all that spitting. What is SNUS? Well, taken strait from Wikipedia (a must read if you want to learn more about snus), SNUS is a tobacco product just like dip or smokes, but doesn’t require spitting or inhaling nasty stuff. While it’s not exactly “clean”, I feel it’s better for my health and appearance that the other alternatives. I could go cold turkey on nicotine, but I don’t want to.

Snus is a moist powder tobacco product originated from a variant of dry snuff, in the early 19th century in Sweden, consumed by placing it under the lip for extended periods of time. However the precursor of snus, the dry form of snuff inhaled through the nose, was introduced in Europe much earlier. Snus is a form of snuff that 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. The sale of snus is illegal in the European Union, but due to exemptions, it is still manufactured and consumed primarily in Sweden and Norway.

Snus may be less harmful than other tobacco products; according to Kenneth Warner, director of the University of Michigan Tobacco Research Network,

“The Swedish government has studied this stuff to death, and to date, there is no compelling evidence that it has any adverse health consequences. … Whatever they eventually find out, it is dramatically less dangerous than smoking.”

As the Wikipedia article said, snus has been available in Sweden and other countries, but never easily found in the US until Camel and Marlboro started making the stuff. From what I read, the Camel and Marlboro versions are similar to Swedish snus, but not exactly the same. I am not interested in importing this stuff from Sweden, so I am going to use one of the two Americanized versions. I have already made my choice after 2 weeks of trying them both.

I was using Skoal pouches again until I read about snus. I was doing the Apple and Berry flavored Skoak pouches. I had seen the Camel Snus in stores before, but never wanted to see what it was. When Marlboro Snus started hitting the shelves, I decided to give it a try. I bought 1 single pack of spearmint Marlboro snus. The pack cost $2.29. I figured that was a decent price, but when I realized there were only 6 pouches in there, I changed my mind. I went ahead and tried the stuff and it was pleasant tasting and satisfied the urge.

I went through a couple packs of this Marlboro Snus before a friend asked if I tried the Camel product. When I told him the Marlboro Snus has only 6 pouches for $2.29, he gasped. The Camel product costs the same and has 15 pouches. Both makers claim 30 minutes of benefit from each pouch. I don’t know about the actual chemical benefit, but the taste last much longer than 30 minutes.

Price
As I said above, Camel has a huge pricing advantage.

• Marlboro Snus — 6 pouches — $2.29
• Camel Snus — 15 pouches — $1.99

Flavor
Marlboro has more flavors than Camel, but out of the 4 Marlboro flavors and 3 Camel flavors, I prefer the Camel Frost flavor the most. Frost is a minty flavor, similar to Peppermint or Spearmint Marlboro.

• Marlboro Snus — Rich, Mild, Peppermint, and Spearmint.
• Camel Snus — Mellow, Frost, and spice, which I have not seen in one store yet.

Like I said, I prefer the flavor of Camel’s Frost flavor much more than either Marlboro mint-like flavors. The flavor doesn’t last quite as long, but the flavor is much better in my opinion. The actual pouch is more soft and comfortable too.

Price and flavor are all that really matters to me, so 2–0 Camel here. I always preferred Marlboro brand smokes, but Camel has got me on the American Snus. Hopefully I won’t ever go back to smoking and that the Snus is only temporary for me. I really want to kick this and move on.

American Snus vs. Swedish Snus?
I am not going down this road, but it seems that many of the “Snus fans” in the US hate both of these offerings and say it’s not really Snus. No problem. Maybe it isn’t, but it’s readily available and does what I need it to do. It also seems that most of the negative articles surrounding these two products are surrounded by ads to buy Swedish Snus from the same website. No conspiracy theory here, but ya… come on.

Thanks for reading and wish me luck in my 3rd campaign to quit smoking again. 3 Weeks and counting.