Mick Hellwig: Snus, Snuff, & Stuff

As my Grandpa used to say “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades”. (Who plays horseshoes anymore?)

Being in a big city that RJR seems to like to abuse with new products, Camel SNUS Robust and Winterchill hit the shelves here last week. I despise wintergreen with a passion that makes my dislike of licorice look weak, so I avoided the Winterchill, and after tasting the Robust I definitely won’t be trying Winterchill.

The new cans are pretty nifty looking (who says “nifty” anymore?) not counting the horrid new government required health warnings that take up the bottom third of the front and back of the can. The SNUS pouches are actually quite large. I compared them to a portion of Lab Series 01 and the Camel is about 10% larger, just a tad longer and wider. I would estimate there is a bit over 1 gram of tobacco per pouch. They are very dry, not dusty, but much drier than even a white portion.

One thing that jumped out at me was the “best before” date. 09June2011. A year!??? Only a couple of Swedish snus claim longevity of flavor that far out. Granted the Camel tins are pretty sturdy and close very tightly, but a YEAR!!!????

Read more: Close, but no Snus - Camel SNUS Robust Review

What little I know of Zen is based on old books, like “Zen and the art of motorcycle repair” and bits and pieces I’ve picked up over the years. What I do know is it involves being at peace with your surroundings and circumstances. Snus helps me do that.

Sitting here in my pitiful excuse for a man cave this morning, a huge pris of Phantom Blue under my lip, a steaming cup o’ Joe and Russian techno coming from the speakers, I am again amazed by the relaxing properties of my favored nicotine delivery systems. Snus and snuff have mostly replaced cigarettes in my life.  

I still sneak a cig every now and then, but they hold no power over me. They taste bad, smell bad and do not give me a content feeling. A General Extra Sterk first thing with my morning starter pot of coffee gets my blood and juices flowing. After about 10 minutes when the caffeine and nicotine get started, I am in a place of calm. Not something I ever experienced with cigarettes. I never liked Russian Techno music or hot tea before snus either.

Late in the evening, after a tough day at work or a day off filled with chores, sitting on my front porch swing enjoying a snus and ice cold beverage is one of my simple joys in life. When I smoked two packs of cigarettes a day I didn’t find joy or relaxation, just the need to smoke this one and get to the next project. I’m not sure if this is a function of my advanced years or the snus, but I’m only 42, so I’m betting on the snus.

I’ve learned a lot about snus in my 2.5 years of reading and using it. Snus is healthier than cigs, cigars and probably snuff. We all know that. The lessons I’ve learned that I feel the need to pass on are the mental aspects of snus. Like the points above about relaxation.

Read more: The Zen of Snus

Yes, it does. It will make my snus and snuff more expensive. It will cause me to pay more for shipping, not to mention having to meet the driver of the Big Brown Truck (BBT) to sign for the stuff and prove I’m over 18. (A blind man could see I’m way over 18)

The PACT act has and will cost friends of mine their jobs and businesses.  The PACT Act has endangered storage space in my freezer. This in turn has endangered my happiness since Mrs.Mick guards her freezer space jealously.

As bad as PACT is, in the final analysis it’s probably more bark than bite. I will still be able to get all my favorite snus. So will you.

Read more: The PACT Act Sucks!

This month the FDA announced the members of its Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC). I thought it would be interesting to discover who are the people which will have a major hand in deciding the fate or future of tobacco products. The following is an hours worth of Google research. There is more, but this will give you an idea of where the 9 voting members of the TPSAC stand. Or more correctly who they stand with.

Read more: TPSAC - The Snus & Tobacco Inquisitors