40 Comments

1. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Thursday, 28 February 2008

   Swedish Match (the largest Swedish Snus producer in Sweden) has begun limited marketing of the General and Catch Brands in the United States.
   
   If you go to my FAQ for Folks New to Swedish Snus, you'll find the Store Locator link for US tobacco shops selling their product. I hope MN is on it! If not, you've always got the mail-order option from Sweden. I recommend SnusCentral.com (surprised?). Click on one of their banners on my First time Customers get 10% their first order by using this Discount Code at Checkout: LV2F8F Good luck!
   
   

2. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Monday, 23 June 2008

   I can't believe how much Camel is ripping us off! I used the store finder in your snus facts post and there is a tobacco store a little drive away that sells General Brand Swedish snus. I'll be heading over there this week to buy a can and compare.
   
   

3. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Monday, 23 June 2008

   "I like Camel's Spice snus. Not necessarily as snus per se. Kind of like Velveeta. I know it's not really cheese, but I still like it sometimes."
   
   

4. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Wednesday, 25 June 2008

   LORD, my heart is BREAKING!
   
   It just goes to show the power of evil (and from the folks who invented Eclipse, too!)...it corrupts both innocents and Big Business alike!
   
   LORD, just give me the strength (and some cash would help too) to go on teaching the wonders of Swedish Snus in this American wilderness! I'm battling SATAN himself on this one! Please give me strength!
   
   

5. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Friday, 27 June 2008

   I placed an order using the link on your blog to SnusCentral.com on Monday evening and I received my delivery today (Thursday)at noon. I chose the Swedish Post delivery option. Amazing! I ordered DVD's of 5 seasons of Star Trek Enterprise 3 weeks ago and am still waiting for them to arrive. They supposedly shipped on June 2. I recommend SnusCentral.com and the Swedish Postal Service without reservation.
   
   

6. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Saturday, 28 June 2008

   I love your website, and have been reading up. I used to enjoy Snus from Sweden when living in Greece. I forgot about the form of tobacco all together until a friendd showed me the Camel Snus a week ago. I was disapointed to say the least, however it gave me a desire to get real snus. I live in Minnesota and was wondering how likely you thought it would be for me to find snus at a tobacco store in the United States.
   
   

7. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Thursday, 09 October 2008

   You are kind of a douche.
   
   

8. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Thursday, 09 October 2008

   Hi Fie! (no pun intended)....
   I don't mind your post but it would be a lot more valuable if you were more specific....
   
   If you could specify in what WAY(S) I'm "kind of a douche", I could address your points specifically.......
   
   In fact, I can't tell if you're talking about me or the person who commented above you......
   
   "Douche" I'll publish: F--k, S--t, and words like that I won't so if you do come back, keep your language civil, specify your issue(s) and I'll be happy to post and address them......
   
   And thanks for stopping by and taking the time to....kind of..comment. I appreciate it!
   
   Sincerely,
   
   Mr. UNZ
   
   

9. Larry Waters makes this comment

   Tuesday, 04 November 2008

   Instead of converting snus'ers like me to the potentially much nicer Swedish snus, you alienate us by making us think Swedish snus'ers are a bunch of pompous pricks.
   
   

10. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Thursday, 06 November 2008

    Dear Confused Anonymous,
    
    Did you ACTUALLY READ THIS ARTICLE? I was having some fun but the facts are the facts. Let's straighten some stuff out first:
    
    1. I'm an American AND a TEXAN, served my Country in the US Air Force and very proud of all the above (truth in disclosure: I've only been a Texan since 2000...I'm originally from New Jersey).
    
    2. I smoked Camel and cigarettes made EXCLUSIVELY by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco for over 30 years. I also knew the risks (I thought).
    
    3. I switched to Camel Lights because light cigarettes, we were told, had less tar and were a little less dangerous.
    
    Last week's news was THAT's A LIE! Maybe in a carefully constructed mechanical test inhaler, they measured less tar, but REAL LIFE STUDIES now with REAL cigarette smokers show "Light" cigarettes are NO DIFFERENT than Regular Filtered cigarettes regarding the amount of tar the smoker inhales.
    
    I'll skip over Eclipse so-called reduced harm cigarettes from RJRT as I switched to them after lights and the only negative I'm aware of so far is that they have considerably more carbon monoxide than conventional cigarettes. And RJRT told me that up front. In a few years, studies will come out with all the facts, one way or the other.
    
    3. If you read my first article on snus, you'll find I started with CamelSNUS...the original that contained only 0.4 grams of product! Because I was BRAND LOYAL.
    
    4. They tasted..OK and as you apparently have, I would have gotten used to them because they are 8mg of nicotine. But CamelSNUS was STILL expensive. So I went Internet shopping: there wasn't much on CamelSNUS as they had just "invented" it, but there was a lot on Swedish Snus since it's over 200 years old.
    
    5. Lucky me, the Dallas area of Texas was, and is, still one of the only places you can buy CamelSNUS, Marlboro snus, and Swedish Snus over-the-counter....all within 5 minutes of my house.
    
    6. That first article describes my nervously opening the tin and seeing something that looked completely different than the CamelSNUS. There were more portions, it was cheaper than CamelSNUS, the pouches looked different.....BUT THE TASTE!!!!
    Filet Minion over Dog Food!
    
    7. What you are suffering from is a new problem which I've written about and not going to repeat again except to say that nicotine, which is more addicting than heroin, will over-ride your taste-buds. Whatever you get very used to in taste becomes your basis of comparison.
    
    If you look at the older comments in this and other posts and compare them to more recent ones now that CamelSNUS has been out longer, the more that "base taste" sets in. People have a tougher time adjusting from dog food to steak. Because of the nicotine.
    
    The few times I tried to stop smoking cigarettes, I would smoke fine cigars. Huge taste difference! Cigarette tobacco is the cheapest sweepings off the floor in the tobacco world.
    
    And when I eventually went BACK to cigarettes because I am nicotine-addicted, the first one tasted TERRIBLE...but by the end of the week I was back up to a pack and half to two packs a day. Because of the nicotine.
    
    Why do I mention Camel more than other "American" snus?
    
    Two reasons: they're in the most markets and if you read my first article on Triumph, you'll understand the Susan Ivey of Reynolds America knows that whomever sets that "base taste" first has the big advantage.
    
    Unlike Europe, Americans ARE uniquely brand-loyal when it comes to nicotine containing tobacco products. She knows that too.
    
    But, taste aside, once I REALLY began educating myself to the expert level on ALL products calling themselves snus, or in the case of Camel SNUS, I realized one very important fact:
    
    When I smoked regular Camels, I knew the risks. The Surgeon Generals report was already out. It was a personal decision motivated by nicotine addiction.
    
    Camels were a little less expensive than Marlboro's, I liked their "Taste" better, and was a loyal customer for over 30 years.
    
    When they told me light cigarettes were less harmful, I believed them and switched. Turns out they LIED TO ME!
    
    When they told me Eclipse were the "least harmful" cigarette on the market, I believed them.
    
    In fact, prior to my discovering snus, you will find NUMEROUS articles praising Eclipse.
    
    They did make the cigarette odor go away so I'm grateful for that and one day I'll find out if they really were safer or not.
    
    But as the Snus Guru...and if you can read and comprehend FACTS, the truth can not be denied:
    
    -CamelSNUS being as reduced harm as Swedish snus is a LIE!
    
    -Why on the snuscamel.com website, the OFFICIAL RJRT Website, is the animated spokesperson named "Olga", wearing tradition Swedish Clothes, standing in the snowy mountains you will NEVER see in North Carolina where CamelSNUS is made...
    
    Why does "Olga" have link buttons for Travelling information in Sweden?
    
    RJRT is not a travel agency, they don't sell CamelSNUS outside the US..in fact they sell it in less than 20 states as of today.
    
    Why is CamelSNUS; and Marlboro snus with their "Invented in Sweden, Perfected in Marlboro Country" always trying to associate itself with Swedish Snus?
    
    It's like saying "An old Ford Pinto, a new Rolls Royce: they both are cars so they are both the same thing."
    
    Swedish Snus is NOT the same as SNUS or snus or Snus made elsewhere. The Swedish Government makes sure of that.
    
    There is a HUGE difference in taste, health risks, cost, quantity, quality, and variety.
    
    And add insult to injury, in this case the "old Pinto" costs MORE than the "Rolls Royce" AND was extremely unsafe (exploding gas tanks for those of you too young to remember).
    
    If you even took the time to read this article (and yes, some of quotes were pompous...and even incorrect: that's what I was illustrating...the amount of LIES and MISINFORMATION, some from stupidity, some deliberate; all over the Internet.
    
    Those FACTS I mention in just this light-hearted little piece, let alone if you'll take the time to actually read some of the other articles like the ones that go line by line through Camel's and Marlboro's website FAQ's AND EXPOSE how they border on false advertising.........
    
    In fact, RJRT visits my blog daily. I see it in my reports. They actually CHANGED the CamelSNUS website based on what I pointed out.
    
    But a major reason I use them, aside from CamelSNUS being the obvious and most aggressive of the new American snus manufacturers is this:
    
    I Was a LOYAL CUSTOMER for over 30 YEARS and they LIED to me the whole time!
    
    They created "light" cigarettes to MAKE MONEY and not lose market share, Period.
    
    If they had told me there was no practical health difference between Filtered Camels and Camel Lights, I still would have smoked Camel Cigarettes. I knew the risks.
    
    BUT THEY LIED to make sure I didn't go to another company selling "light" cigarettes.
    
    If you take the time to READ the difference between most American "snus's" and REAL Swedish Snus, the health difference is SO GREAT that their "marketing tactics" are going to KILL PEOPLE unnecessarily!
    
    And to top it off, they're going to rip you off at the cash register! Not just Camel: Marlboro and Skoal are even worse.
    
    But I was a Proud Camel Customer with my Camel Lighter, my Camel hat, and all the other Camel stuff they gave away OR let you "earn" by buying enough of their cigarettes.
    
    I was Brand Loyal to them for over 30 years and it turns out they were making a FOOL of me the whole time!
    
    With cigarettes, you know the risks. But ALL these so-called "snus" products showing up are SO MUCH MORE DANGEROUS than Swedish Snus, and Camel in particular, has gone so far in their marketing to associate themselves with Swedish Snus that it was just too much.
    
    Am I passionate about it? Your right.
    
    Because THIS TIME, American smokers DON'T know the risks, they ARE NOT making an informed decision about their HEALTH, or the value they get for their money.
    
    Because THIS TIME people who WOULD NOT have otherwise gotten cancer WILL! AND pay more for the privilege. And it's documented.
    
    So much so, and so important is this FARCE by American Tobacco in general that shortly, I'll be taking the subject of snus OFF
    this blog....and putting on the biggest, most feature and information packed website dedicated to snus on the PLANET! Very soon...sooner if I stopped responding to comments, especially going on this long.
    
    READ MY ARTICLES, VERIFY the SOURCES, and when the new website is up, READ ALL the studies.
    
    Then if you want to keep using CamelSNUS, or any other American snus, at least you'll be an educated user. In America, we still have some freedom of choice.
    
    But don't blindly follow misleading marketing to an early grave and an empty wallet. BE AN INFORMED TOBACCO USER!
    
    4. As to trying to convert you, if you'd like to know more about Jesus Christ, I would be happy discuss Him with you. But that concerns your immortal soul.
    
    American "snus" concerns your very mortal health and financial health.
    
    I may get passionate, but my point is to give YOU the FACTS and INFORMATION that sadly you and many others didn't see.
    
    And there are 46 million cigarette smokers still in America....
    
    GREED OVER SAFETY: in this case, the difference is so night and day that it CAN'T be ignored.
    
    Learn the FACTS: then do what you want. Right now, YOUR comment is the uneducated, pompous one...just like the guy I quoted in the article.
    
    Sincerely,
    
    Mr UNZ
    
    November 6, 2008 1:28 PM

11. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Tuesday, 23 December 2008

    Hello,
    
    Camel snus is perfect for us gals who are learning to snus. I ordered some Swedish snus and found it to be a bit bitter for my liking. I ordered a mixed roll and I think they are stronger than my liking. I prefer a milder taste. I had to spit a lot as well which to me defeats the purpose.
    
    October 30, 2008 3:00 AM

12. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Wednesday, 24 December 2008

    Hi Anonymous Gal!
    
    There are a lot a gal Swedish snusers who would disagree with you but I understand your point.....American's in general: guys or gals; who have used Camel or other American Snus for a significant amount of time have had their tastes conditioned to the sickly sweet American flavor. Not your fault: If I had kept using Camel snus; especially if I liked the flavored varieties, it would be a struggle. Just remember; Swedish Snus is REAL snus. Snus is not SUPPOSED to taste the way American Snus does.........
    
    That being said, I would recommend a few things. First of all, start out with mini portion Swedish Snus; not Original/Large..........Second, look for the mint and wintergreen flavors. Swedish Match's Catch Collection; in particular, Mini Mint; is specifically designed to introduce Camel Frost users to Real Swedish Snus. Other manufacturers are joining as well........Third, don't quit after the first portion: get through at least half the can before you make a decision. It does take time for your taste buds to adjust as I discovered when I did my American Snus Taste Tests. I spit out the first portions but forced myself to continue until they were almost OK, in a weak, watered down way. As long as your getting nicotine, you will adjust.........We're waiting to see what other new products are coming and plan to add more Tasting Kits to SnusCentral.com target to American Snus users trying to make the change. They'll be up by the end of the first quarter.........I hope you'll try again as Swedish snus is less harmfull than American Snus, has well over a hundred flavors, and is a better buy than American Snus.......If you ultimately can't break away from the sugar spiking and nicotine manipulation many American Snus manufacturers engage in and resign yourself to Camel SNUS, at least you tried.
    
    .........Think about it and if you want some guidance, that's what we're all here for....
    
    Sincerely,
    
    Mr. UNZ
    
    

13. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Monday, 09 February 2009

    I went ahead and tried some of your hyped-up Swedish snus. The stuff smells like tea bags that a dog took a leak on and that were shut up in the dark for a week, and the taste is miserable.
    I vastly prefer the clean tobacco smell of Camel snus and the satisfaction it gives in the nicotine department. I went into the Swedish snus with an open mind and anticipation, but as stated above, find the product miserable and disgusting.

14. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Friday, 20 February 2009

    Just wanted to say "thanks" for all of the info on snus, I found it informative and interesting. I am a smoker of 15 years and am trying to quit..(again) I decided maybe I could ween myself off of the coffin nails by chewing. Tried both loose and bandit packet Skoal tobacco products, didn't care for the heart burn side effects. Then I saw the Camel Snus at a Tobacco store and inquired decided to try it. At first I thought it tasted good and liked it. After a few weeks I started not feeling so great after I used it. I don't know if it has anything to do with me taking Chantix last year to quit smoking or if it something else. I am interested in trying the "real" Swedish style snus instead but I don't know if it will be better or not. Do you know where I could obtain some sort of samples? I live in southwest Iowa and in case you are wondering - no I don't work for any tobacco companies LOL.. Thanks
    
    

15. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Friday, 20 February 2009

    Hi Latest Anonymous!.......
    
    Thanks for being upfront about your employment..to everyone's delight, I'll be able to keep my response relatively short ......
    
    Free samples aren't big with Swedish Snus as they are with American snus. One Manufacturer offers them but they want too much personal information including the last 4 numbers of your Social Security Number and Birth Date. With those to bits of information and your address, you are vulnerable to identity theft. Ever I opted out of the page when I saw that....... The most common free offers are the 'buy a roll (10 cans of the same snus), get X amount of extra cans of the same snus free' (usually two or three)........
    
    Since you don't know what you like yet, I would not recommend buying rolls yet. If you're going to buy 10 cans, you're better off buying 10 different cans or 2 cans of 5 different snus's.........
    
    SnusCentral.com does sell the Swedish Match Tasting Kits. They come in a few different varieties like Portion/White Portion, Loose, and Mini Portion. They're around $28. I'm working with That Snus Guy to create some SnusCENTRAL Tasting kits which include other brands as well as Swedish Match and be directed to Americans new to snus. They're not up on the site yet though.........
    
    You can get a 10% discount at SnusCentral.com by using this discount code during checkout: LV2F8F. That's about the best I can offer..........
    
    Stay in touch; either here or at SnusCENTRAL.org and let me how you like whatever you buy. There are plenty of suggestions over there on the different snus's too.....
    
    If you need help, let me know.......
    
    Sincerely,
    
    Mr. UNZ
    

16. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Tuesday, 24 February 2009

    THIS is the famous Dennis Neal Comments Conversation from my other Blog, The Unloading Zone!.......It ran VERY long and was so interesting, I decided to make an article out of it...actually two articles it was so long yet fascinating. Check under Snus Nus>Mr. UNZ Reports!>Camel SNUS vs Swedish Snus: Dennis Neal & Mr. UNZ...Part 1 and Part 2.

17. Chris makes this comment

    Sunday, 29 March 2009

    You know, maybe you could fill Americans head's with these "FACTS" if you would quit bashing their country, as well as your own. I just stopped reading after listening to you babble about how idiotic portions being called pouches made americans sound. So the fuck what? It makes people think your a douche. I'm pretty sure the reason why the Camel snus is so much more popular is, THIS ISN'T SWEDEN. Think of the everyday americans, especially teen smokers. Are they going to want to wait for their snus? No, they will drive up to the nearest gas station or tabacco store and buy it. Not because they are uneducated dipshits, because its available to them without all the extra effort. All im suggesting, try not smack talking your own country, or other Americans will press the back button on the browser. Keep it in mind next time.

18. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Wednesday, 01 April 2009

    Hi Chris!........
    
    Sorry the portions/pouches comment went over your head. Reynolds understood it though. Camel is "popular" because many stores give away up to 10 usually expired, unrefrigerated cans with the purchase of a pack of Camel cigarettes; my cigarette brand of choice for over 30 years.
    
    I don't think the Swedish Snus manufacturers took into consideration the desires of teen smokers when designing their marketing plans: it's ILLEGAL in OUR Country for teens to be buying ANY tobacco product at convenience stores, gas stations or anywhere else.
    
    Are you saying the laws of the United States don't matter? Do you honestly believe the Swedes should intentionally market to underage kids? Are you saying convenience stores and gas stations which sell tobacco products in the United States should get a pass on breaking the law and selling to minors? What kind of American are YOU? You say I bash the USA...don't you realize your fixation on teen smokers makes America look like a Joke?........and what happens to your America-Bashing argument when Swedish Snus is available at convenience stores and gas stations too? Will that be OK with you because law-breaking store owners will make it convenient for minors to illegally purchase Swedish Snus?...........As to this not being Sweden, you're right. They BANNED cigarettes seven or eight years ago. America TAXES cigarettes supposedly to pay for smoker education programs for "the children".....looks to me like you are the one who doesn't give a damn about America. Let me guess; you support legalized marijuana too. If so-called Americans like you hit the back button, I'm grateful....... America has a bad enough reputation these days without its citizens wrapping themselves in the flag to support the illegal sale of tobacco to minors.....and if YOU are a teen smoker, then get off this site: like the entry page said: For people of LEGAL AGE ONLY.....Keep THAT in mind next time.

19. rlc1970 makes this comment

    Thursday, 02 April 2009

    I haven't tried Camel Snus...I did a web search for it and found sites that directed me to the other snus'. I'm a proud American and would love to say that we could make snus better however that doesn'tt seem to be the case here. I guess it is like scotch. You can only get true scotch from Scotland.

20. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Saturday, 04 April 2009

    Amen Rick. Sad but true.

21. james makes this comment

    Sunday, 05 April 2009

    i used camel snus for a week and loved it .
    i the placed a order for 10 kinds of snus from sweden.
    what a let down it is so bad the taste stinks. all 1o diffrent brands taste the same like crap.

22. convert makes this comment

    Monday, 20 April 2009

    I gotta thank Camel for introducing this naive American to the world of snus. However swedish snus is better quality, better tasting and has a pleasant mouthfeel. now I am regular user of Roda Lacket swedish snus and i am very pleased!

23. Mr. UNZ makes this comment

    Monday, 20 April 2009

    Hi James!
    
    Here's what I would suggest. Go to http://generalsnus.com. Get passed the age police and click on store locator on the top menu. Check and see if there is a Swedish Match dealer close to where you are. If there is, buy one can of General Mini Mint. If you're using Camel Frost and don't like Mini Mint better....enjoy your Camel Frost! It is worth a final shot though.
    
    Sincerely,
    
    Mr. UNZ

24. Mr. UNZ makes this comment

    Monday, 20 April 2009

    Hi convert!
    
    I also thank Camel for introducing me to snus. So do many others here. But like you, we discovered Swedish Snus and are much the better for it.
    
    Roda Lacket is made by Swedish Match. If you'd like to thank them personally, on the top menu to the right, hover over Manufacturer Speak. In the drop-down, you will see Swedish Match. Feel free to ask them any questions you may have too. The reason they have a home here on SnusCentral.org is because Swedish Match wants to hear from their customers...one on one! They really do care.
    
    Sincerely, UNZ.....I hope you joined SnusCentral.org too! It's free, you get a lot more access to the site, and we'd love to have you!

25. Mike makes this comment

    Sunday, 26 April 2009

    Mr. Unz, I am going to try to be objective as possible with my comments and perhaps it will lend itself properly to this debate.
    
    As a 15 year former smoker and a 3 year "dipper" I have tried several types of tobacco. I had to quit smoking as my job essentially made me, so when I was looking for alternatives the Skoal "pouches" (that's what they call them) worked best. I didn't like loose tobacco of traditional smokeless because of it getting in my teeth and harder to remove from my mouth in a hurry.
    
    About a year into my smokeless switch, I was looking online for different brands that came in "pouches" (because Skoal is so expensive) when I came across snus. Intrigued, I wanted to know more, so I went about discovering the history of snus and its Scandinavian background. I found a website that sold many different brands and flavors and order a BUNCH. Seriously, because I wasn't sure what I would like, I must have bought 20+ different cans of various brands and flavors. Trying most of them through the course of the next several days, I really did like that it didn't require spitting and it did calm my nicotine cessation, however the flavors just didn't seem "bold" enough for me.
    
    Recently, Camel "snus" became available in my area and since I had a coupon for a free can I decided to try it. I got the frost and was pleasantly surprised. It had the bold flavor I was looking for without the spitting; however, the level of nicotine was very much lacking and after a short while I was ready for another...unlike the Swedish snus or the Skoal pouches.
    
    So, I think there is a certain Rochambeau (rock-paper-scissors) aspect to this which brings in the flavor vs. spitting vs. nicotine levels. I know as a connoisseur of the Swedish snus you find it satisfying on the flavor front, but I think it is open for debate as to what "tastes good."
    
    I think it can be analogous to alcohol as one person mentioned Scotch earlier. I enjoy wine, both whites and reds...sometimes I'm in the mood for a Riesling other times for a Syrah/Shiraz, other times something else...but I always cringe when I hear someone order a White Zin. Perhaps it's a bit contemptuous for me to think they are wine idiots, but at the same time I wouldn't be able to discern the difference between a single malt or a blended scotch either...so I am an idiot to them.
    
    I guess if there is a point in all of this, it is that what's considered "good" is subjective. For me, I wish there was something that appealed to me on all fronts and so far I have simply settled.

26. Mr. UNZ makes this comment

    Monday, 27 April 2009

    Hi Mike!
    
    Excellent comment! Thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts to e-paper. This article was a little tongue-in-cheek and the point when I wrote it was to highlight the mass of misinformation about snus on the internet. It's an incredibly popular article but also the one I receive the most criticism on as it comes off to many as elitist. I used an elitist versus an American novice whose sole source of information was American Tobacco Companies and internet errors hoping to demonstrate how Americans were being deliberately taken advantage of by Big Tobacco. I also had fun writing it in an Old Time Religion style. Apparently what I intended and how some people read the article are worlds apart. I blame that on myself: I obviously did not craft the article well enough so that my point wasn't lost in the delivery. I've worked to improve that.......I was and am deeply offended by especially Reynolds original Camel SNUS website, the "information" it provided and even to a lesser degree still does today. Reynolds changed the Camel website over time in direct response to my individual detailing of each and every misleading or inaccurate point. Today, camelsnus.com is just a puff marketing site that's not worth the energy to dissected. I'm glad that this is now the case and proud (not egotistical) to know that I had a hand in that happening. It does concern me Reynolds still makes a big deal about not swallowing the Camel SNUS pouch. What is that thing made of anyway?........ To use your wine analogy, it's not someone ordering a White Zin with beef out of lack of wine experience that outrages me. It would be the White Zin manufacturer advertising that their $4/bottle white Zin is not only in the same league as, but a better alternative to a Porterhouse steak then a 1982 Penfold's Grange Hermitage (talk about a phenomenal wine! My opinion of course; you may disagree)......Even when reviewing Swedish Snus, I would say "taste is in the mouth of the beholder". Well, a lot of the time. I forget more recently probably because my snus palate has matured to the point I can discern the difference......I'm also very opinionated and am not ashamed of it. The main reason I sought out and was so grateful when That Snus Guy started writing on SnusCENTRAL was that he bends over backwards and prides himself on writing "objective" reviews. He has his likes and dislikes but he intentionally does not incorporate them in his reviews. He concentrates on mouth feel, drink pairing, and taste description without judgment. His motivation was and is that when he first discovered snus, he couldn't find objective reviews. That became his mission and he does it extraordinarily well. I wanted to be counter-balanced on SnusCENTRAL when it came to reviews because I am opinionated. I do admit that his Camel Frost review was incredibly difficult for me to press the Publish button on, but I don't believe or practice editorial control. I welcome differing approaches and opinions so long as they are grounded in something real......Reynolds offends me on a lot of levels. In the Member Forum (I hope you join if you haven't already so you can read these..Membership is free), there is a thread called "Camel Snus Loose?". It was inspired by an email I received asking if you could tear open the Camel SNUS pouches and use the contents as a loose snus. The Member responses were not "eeew, Camel sucks!". They were scientific experiments starting with weighing the contents on a digital scale, an evaluation of the contents, how much Camel SNUS it took to make a pris, and the like. (I'm very proud of our Members).....I hate to summarize in a sentence or two as they are so well written and comprehensive, but it became apparent from the amount of stems found in Camel SNUS to indicate it contains the cheapest possible tobacco sold at a premium price. Let's compare Camel SNUS to Marlboro Snus.....I'm in the process of writing an article revisiting Marlboro Snus. I have also been equally as critical of Philip Morris USA, if not more so, then Reynolds, and thought this article would be extremely critical but with updated information. It's not going to be. No one was or will be more surprised than I when it's finally published. I may be opinionated, but never at the expense of facts......Back to Camel versus Swedish. Reynolds offends me on so many levels; quality, marketing, pricing, taste/contents, and especially treating their brand-loyal customers as clay to be molded regardless of the facts that I am particularly critical of the entire "Camel SNUS" package; especially compared to Swedish Snus.....as I often do say, if someone likes and uses the most carcinogenic American chewing tobacco on the market, as long as they are informed consumers, America still kind of has freedom of choice.....Who am I to throw a stone: I smoked for over 35 years knowing full well the risks....I thought. I switched to light cigarettes not for the taste but because they were supposed to be less harmful. Now we know there is no practical difference between regular and light cigarettes: it was just a marketing ploy. Would I have quit smoking had I known then what I know now? No. I'm nicotine addicted and like tobacco. But I wouldn't have switched to light cigarettes; which are probably more profitable too? No. I thought I was an informed consumer and I wasn't. I was mislead like millions of other smokers. THAT I don't like........As to Swedish Snus? The facts are out there and my mission is to make sure they see the light of day. Like you, I started out with 20+ cans of Swedish Snus and as I've chronicled in other articles, there were some I didn't like; even some that ended up in the trash (and I hate to waste anything). But there were others I fell in love with and continue to: in just the two years since I discovered SNUS and Swedish Snus, there are so many new brands and flavors that my original "top three" are not the same as my current top three. Six months from now, they may be different again. And my top three may not be the same as anyone elses which makes neither of us wrong. What it does mean is that on a level playing field, we enjoy different tastes. But it is a level playing field because the Swedish government intelligently regulates Swedish Snus so that health concerns are addressed, the consumer is informed, and an overall superior product is made transparently available at a great retail price to American consumers and a healthy profit to the manufacturers. I say American consumers because Sweden is taxing snus in Sweden like the US Federal and State governments do with cigarettes: excessively......I am not and have never been a fan of Big Government but I am in favor of FDA regulating all tobacco products including snus. But in the case of snus, only so long as it's done as the Swedish do; for public safety, consumer transparency, and to ensure the safest possible and best possible product is available. The key phrase there: "is available". I share your opinion of White Zinfandel but it isn't any more dangerous to drink than any other wine, it's generally priced appropriately against finer wines, and as you say taste is subjective. If someone prefers machine made cigars over a Cuban Montecristo: or more likely can't afford Cuban cigars because of this outdated & counter-productive cold war trade embargo against Cuba, so be it. I may cringe but I'm not the one smoking them........Most Americans discovering snus, like myself 2 years ago, thought it was a new invention of Big American Tobacco. They and I had/have no idea that snus is a Swedish invention with a 200 year history, is truly and is documented as the most reduced harm tobacco product on the planet, and has such a wide selection at a fraction of the price of Camel SNUS. THAT's what I want to change. Once American and Swedish Snus can be compared apples to apples on more than just taste, then let the informed consumer choose whatever they like. So long as they are informed consumers and know what they are putting in their mouths and bodies.
    
    Sincerely,
    
    UNZ

27. Mike makes this comment

    Monday, 27 April 2009

    Mr. Unz, thanks for the reply, everything is very well understood. If I might ask a favor, could you recommend a couple of brands and flavors of what is here that has a bold and rich flavor to it? I prefer a citrusy taste as much as anything and mint is typically my second choice. I would like to think I may have gotten unlucky guessing on my own my previous time of trying different ones and maybe with a few recommendations I could get better results.
    
    Also, could you please answer a question that has always bothered me...What is the compartment in the lid of most snus cans used for?
    
    Thanks,
    Mike

28. miracle makes this comment

    Tuesday, 28 April 2009

    i got a thing in the mail for camel snus and i didnt have the money for my cig. so i got it and it does not give you the nicotine and does not taste good either well not as good at it said and i just made me want to smoke even more

29. Mr. UNZ makes this comment

    Tuesday, 28 April 2009

    Hi Mike! Glad you're back! I'll answer your second question first since it's quick and easy. The compartment on many Scandinavian snus cans is a place to put your used snus until you can properly dispose of it. Pretty cool, isn't it? Very green as well and long before that became fashionable.........I'll give you a couple of snus suggestions but I'm going to ask That Snus Guy to reply to this also......Citrus as a taste is common in many snus's but not overwhelming like a Camel Mellow. V2 Tobacco; the people who make OffRoad (which I don't recommend personally), Thunder and Nordstrommen (which I love) makes a loose snus under the Nordstommen brand called Manderin. I've heard it's very good. I've been pushing V2 to make a portion version...they also have some test flavors out there that I think you might like...the final decision hasn't been made yet on which flavors survived the consumer testing....I'm meeting with Patrick Vogel, co-founder of V2 next week in New Orleans at the Tobacco Plus Expo. I'll be reporting back via twitter and blog about the whole show (at least what's not confidential) and will try and get you an update..........Bold and Rich: General Onyx; anything under the Grovsnus brand-Grovsnus Black has a unique taste of what they call leather and I originally thought was licorice...and I don't like licorice. The more I used it though, the more it grew on me. I have a roll included in my last snus order....Philip Morris 1847 WHITE Portion. One of my favorites but the regular portion was a disappointment. Skruf Stark Portion (not white portion) is a great snus in the bold and rich category....Also Thunder Original Portion and General Ekstra Sterk Portion; but be advised these are high nicotine, so be prepared!.........As to the mints, a year ago I would never have considered them. Now they are among my favorites. Here are my current top 3 for mint: Jakobsson's Ice Fruit, Thunder Frosted, and General Mini Mint. If you're a former Skoal user, you may also like General Wintergreen (which is said to be similar in taste to the Skoal) and Offroad IceMint. The OffRoad I never tried but That Snus Guy did do a review on it I believe......Hope the above helps. Remember, these are MY favorites: they may not be yours . Half the fun of discovering Swedish/Scandinavian snus is taste-testing. It is a lot like wine in that respect. I'll email That Snus Guy and we'll see what he recommends..........Sincerely, UNZ

30. Mr. UNZ makes this comment

    Tuesday, 28 April 2009

    Hi Miracle!.......You said in one sentence what it takes me three pages to say. I completely agree with you....Sincerely,
    UNZ

31. BC makes this comment

    Tuesday, 05 May 2009

    How long does snus keep when opened? I am new to the world of snus and have 6 cans opened and in the fridge right now. I am hoping they stay fresh for awhile as I am not a chain-snus'er.
    thanks!

32. bruna makes this comment

    Wednesday, 06 May 2009

    for the people who like camel snus frost...it takes like strong gum with a dash of tobacco. if you like gum, get gum. if you like tobacco, get tobacco.
    
    mr. unz, you may have come across as a little douche-baggy with the portion comment, etc. people may be put off by some of the comments and may not try the swedish snus, just saying...

33. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Sunday, 10 May 2009

    BC......It varies on the snus. Once the can is opened some of the moister ones can dry out rather quickly. Keeping open cans in the refrigerator when not in use is a good idea......I usually have 5-7 cans open at the same time. After 3-4 weeks, some have lost their flavor or dried out. In my experience, if you finish a can within a couple weeks keeping it in the fridge when not in use, you won't have any problems.....Sincerely, Larry

34. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Sunday, 10 May 2009

    Hi Bruna........Two points: everything is a matter of perception. If you compare Reynolds Camel Frost against General Mini Mint, you'll probably never use Frost again......As to the douche-baggy part, I do understand your reaction. Read my response to Mike above. He made a similar statement and my very detailed answer is there. I don't want to clog the thread by repeating it here. My response to Mike should clear up the issue for you....Thanks for writing!...Sincerely, Larry; aka Mr. UNZ

35. Shawn makes this comment

    Tuesday, 12 January 2010

    Why whine about a tobacco company lying to you? That's what they do...they lie and deal their toxic goods to customers. I know this...and don't believe a word I'm told. You can only blame yourself if you were deceived. You were deceived because you wanted to be deceived. You wanted to believe your habit was good for you...or at least safer.
    
    Where are your studies saying Swedish snus is safer? Who were those studies funded by? What is the definition of "safer"? Does it mean one cancer death in 1000? Please define your bold statements...and substantiate with facts proven in studies.
    
    This wasn't totally useless however...you did shed light on the portion sizes. I would have liked for you to have spoken about nicotene content. A bigger pouch doesn't mean a bigger punch.
    
    Next time...less propaganda and more fact.

36. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Tuesday, 12 January 2010

    Hi Shawn!
    
    If you haven't guessed from the title of this article, I was trying a different style with this article. You're not the only one who didn't appreciate it so don't feel bad.
    
    Those studies and facts have been written about since this article was first published in 2008. What is the implication of who funded the studies? Every FDA approved drug on the market received approvals based on studies funded by Big Pharma.
    
    There is a great article on nicotine by Dr. Lars Erik Rutqvist you should read.
    
    And you are correct: a bigger pouch doesn't mean a bigger punch. The amount of free nicotine and the pH level of the snus do. That's why Marlboro publishes just under 8mg/g of TOTAL nicotine but only 1.4mg/g of free nicotine in Marlboro Snus.
    
    Camel SNUS claims 8mg nicotine per pouch but SNUS is very low moisture....dry as dirt actually. They don't publish their free nicotine levels but why should they?
    
    ALL American made snus is marketed as a complimentary product to cigarettes; not a replacement...."When you can't smoke, SNUS!"
    
    Swedish Snus is marketed as a replacement for cigarettes, a stand-alone product, and the least harmful way to enjoy tobacco.
    
    Swedish Snus is virtually harm-free especially compared to cigarettes. On average, cigarettes contain 548 ppm of TSNA's. (tobacco specific carcinogens). Swedish Snus averages 1 ppm or less.
    
    The Swedish Health Dept. removed the "This product causes mouth cancer" warning based on 30 years of science...and because it doesn't cause cancer.
    
    Swedish snus is about as dangerous as French Roast coffee or grilled hotdogs. All the substantiation you want is on the site. If I repeated all of it in every single article I wrote, each one would be about 50 pages long and unreadable.
    
    Thanks for taking the time to comment! Feel free to use the site to learn the truth.
    
    Larry

37. Shawn makes this comment

    Wednesday, 13 January 2010

    Now that's what I'm talking about Larry. I was merely googling swedish snus and came across this blog which read like fluff. That answer is exactly what I am looking for. Thank you and I will have to explore your site more in depth.

38. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Saturday, 16 January 2010

    Because of this article, I have never written another one immediately after attending church like I did here. Glad you came back.
    
    The site is yours...that's why it's here. Feel free to ask any questions or comment. The Members are all very friendly and helpful.
    
    BR
    Larry

39. jb makes this comment

    Thursday, 04 February 2010

    mr. UNZ:
    Thanks for the work you have done. I also am an America who uses Swedish snus (General white portion).
    
    The reason that i came across your site was that i was doing a little research. Usually, google is a wonderful reasearch assistant, but, this time, i was having trouble finding concrete statistics for carcinogen ppm for specific american brand cigarettes and tobacco-related products. On the other hand, finding statistics about Swedish snus was, and is, relatively easy.
    
    As i am new to your site, i am unaware if you have made posts comparing the current research data. If this data has been compiled by you, then would you mind directing me?
    
    Furthermore, i, also, have been compiling my own data--which was recently halted due to conflicting/ambiguous data on american cigarette carcinogens--and i can supply you with my findings along with, of course, the supporting data. Essentially, my data points out the difference between carcinogenic intake between an average smoker and an average snus user: the resulting data is mind-boggling.
    
    Again, while my data is supported by collected research data, i lack 'specific' data on popular american cigarette brands--such as Camel and Marlboro--and would like (if you can help me here, i would be greatly appreciative) to site the carcinogens per parts per million (ppm) specific within American cigarette brand names instead of doing a general comparison.
    
    Thanks again for your work here--and please email me if you are interesting in my results and/or if you can help me locate more specific information regarding American brand cigarettes.
    
    Jb

40. Larry Waters makes this comment

    Thursday, 04 February 2010

    Hi Jb!
    
    There is a very good reason you can't find specific nitrosamine levels for American cigarettes: the manufacturers don't publish it or talk about it. If one good thing comes out of The Tobacco Act, I hope they will be forced to disclose the TSNA levels of their cigarettes.
    
    Swedish Snus manufacturers, as you noted, are very forthcoming with TSNA levels. Some American snus manufacturers do also, but very few. They have the "Old Cigarette Guy" mentality.
    
    Talking in general about carcinogen levels in cigarettes is very challenging except to say the risks are high. Take an unlit cigarette, light it, and suddenly you have 4000 to 6000 toxic substances created. Combustion is what makes a cigarette so dangerous.
    
    Recently, scientists have increased the number of possible carcinogens in a lit cigarette to 10,000. Here's the scary part: these extra substances they have found in cigarette smoke are largely classified as "dangerous but we're not quite sure what some of them even are".
    
    Yet between FDA and the Tobacco Act, the pending PACT Act, and of course the insane EU Snus Ban, cigarettes still remain the easiest form of tobacco to obtain world-wide.
    
    I'd be very interested in seeing your study. Be expecting an email.
    
    Sincerely,
    
    Larry
    aka Mr. UNZ