Best alternatives to smoking | Snushus

Best Alternatives to Smoking

The consumption of tobacco has a long history; even among Maya priests, tobacco smoking was part of spiritual rituals, where tobacco leaves were lit in large fires and the smoke inhaled. With Columbus, the tobacco plant was brought to Europe for the first time and was originally either chewed, snuffed, or boiled into a liquid.

Nowadays, there are hundreds of different tobacco products in which nicotine is processed and consumed in various ways. Cigarettes are, of course, the most well-known form of tobacco consumption, and in Europe, about 26% of citizens smoke.

So what exactly makes tobacco consumption so tempting, and what alternatives are there to smoking if you want to gradually quit?

What Makes Smoking Appealing?

A cigarette contains not only nicotine but also about 4,800 other chemicals in the smoke, of which at least 250 substances are toxic and around 90 are carcinogenic. Most smokers are aware of this, but why is it so hard for them to quit smoking?

The nicotine contained in cigarettes causes our cells to release substances that have a stimulating effect on the body. Nicotine improves attention performance during consumption and simultaneously suppresses negative feelings such as stress, anxiety, and nervousness.

Many smokers say they smoke in the morning to wake up faster. The first dose of nicotine of the day usually increases the craving, and reaching for the next cigarette is not far off. Furthermore, smoking often occurs at the workplace because the smoking break represents a moment of retreat and relaxation for many people.

Some people even say that cigarettes after meals serve as a digestive aid. However, there is no scientific evidence for this. Of course, our social environment also has a big influence on our habits. Many young people start smoking to be part of a group, and adults often smoke at parties or other social events.

Once smoking has started, a permanent quit smoking is difficult to achieve because nicotine is an addictive substance.

Alternative to Smoking: E-Cigarettes

E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular in recent years and are seen as a less harmful alternative to smoking. In e-cigarettes, the so-called e-liquid is heated and inhaled. The vapor mainly consists of water, ethanol, nicotine, flavorings, and propellants.

Switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes avoids exposure to the harmful substances produced by burning tobacco. Therefore, e-cigarettes are recommended to help with smoking cessation. However, there are not yet sufficient studies on the long-term effects of e-cigarettes.

Alternative to Smoking: Tobacco Heating Systems

Tobacco heating systems also heat the tobacco mixture without burning it. This produces a vapor that contains nicotine and releases the taste of tobacco. Since no combustion takes place here either, the concentration of harmful chemical components is lower than in conventional cigarettes.

Alternative to Smoking: Snus

Another smoke-free alternative to smoking is Snus. Snus has long been extremely popular in the Scandinavian region and is becoming increasingly popular in other parts of Europe. Recipes for the first Snus products date back to the 18th century. So what exactly is Snus?

Basically, Snus consists of tobacco, water, salt, and flavorings. When consumed, Snus is placed under the upper lip, and the taste of tobacco and the effect of nicotine are released through saliva. Snus is often used by athletes because the nicotine it contains causes adrenaline levels to rise while simultaneously reducing nervousness.

Snus products can be purchased with varying nicotine levels. Particularly strong products include, for example, Siberia Rot -80 Degrees WDP with a nicotine content of 43 mg/g. Milder in comparison is Oden's Cold Extreme WDP with 22 mg/g. For those who prefer it very mild, VELO Icy Berries with a nicotine content of 14.3 mg/g is recommended.