Nicotine Alternatives

[Vassago]

I was a smoker for years until I found Zyn. I haven't had a cigarette in 2 years and can breathe easier than I have in a very long time. Rather than hijack another thread where nicotine pouches were brought up, I thought I would post a new one. What alternatives have you all found and what have been your stories? Someone mentioned that users get more nicotine from pouches, but I don't fell that way. I keep then in only for a short time and don't use them often. The obvious appeal for me is the lack of tobacco and the more harmful chemicals within while still getting the nicotine. I know I'm still addicted and that's not good, but for two years now I've been using them and my doctors and dentist have not found any reason why I should stop other than the addiction.

What say you all?

 

[Isaac]

I say your post has encouraged me to try them, and I'll have more feedback soon.
Trying hard to quit a disturbing and over-the-top vaping habit. I feel similarly, I could care less about the nicotine addiction, I mean, I'd place it (alone) on a level with my Monsters and Coffee addictions ... if I could just stop inhaling garbage into my lungs every 90 seconds.

Ordering now! Thanks Vassago

 

[Vassago]

No worries! I've tried many nicotine pouches. Zyn is my favorite, but I'm not a great fan of the plastic container. Wish they could go to something less plastic.

I've tried many flavors. Wintergreen and Coffee are my favorite. The cool mint is more like a menthol cigarette. Peppermint and Spearmint are OK, but very strong on the mint. Good for breath though.

None of the Zyn taste like cigarettes. I have had some other pouches that keep some of that flavor though for those who do need to taste it. Not really a fan myself.

I tried vape. Didn't enjoy the throat and chest feeling. I'm definitely tired of beating up my lungs. The best part about Zyn is I can use it anywhere and nobody has to know, even at my desk at work or immediately after eating at a restaurant. Just make sure you have a tissue or napkin handy to discard the pouch after. There is no need to spit while using it like chewing tobacco. It's kind of like Snus without the tobacco.

 

[Vassago]

I also have caffeine addiction. I used to have monster every day. I've replaced it MOSTLY with black coffee. I still cheat here and there though.

 

[Isaac]

Every time I go in the direction or more frequent or strong coffee, my stomach protests.

 

[ColinEssex]

A friend of mine used to chain smoke all the time, maybe 50 fags a day. When she used patches, she had so much nicotine already, she charged up the patches.
Col

 

[Vassago]

Thankfully, my smoking was about 10 a day, unless alcohol was involved. I've cut out drinking for the most part, too. I think if I was drinking some bar drinks, it would be difficult to not want one.

 

[Isaac]

Almost 4 weeks off vaping now, and immensely satisfied with such a change. Ultimately went with Lucy.co .....Very happy with those, too. And only chew about 3-6 / day.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

I was fortunate, I guess. Mom and Dad told me I could smoke if I wanted. I tried cigarettes three times (one cig each time, not three packs). My lungs protested BADLY each time. Decided I didn't want to smoke. The only down-side to it all was that when I met relatively attractive women in high school and college, if they were smokers I couldn't get near them. Their breaths gave them away. Later on in life, I met someone I knew from high school who had become "unattached" again. She was VERY attractive in appearance, a slightly "blonder" version of actress Eva Mendes. She was even interested in me - but she smoked like a foundry and I couldn't handle it. We broke up because I just couldn't make the next step and she got tired of waiting. I never had the guts to tell her that it was her smoking that doomed us. And in a way, it wasn't ONLY that. But it was a very big contributor.

 

[Isaac]

I was fortunate, I guess. Mom and Dad told me I could smoke if I wanted. I tried cigarettes three times (one cig each time, not three packs). My lungs protested BADLY each time. Decided I didn't want to smoke. The only down-side to it all was that when I met relatively attractive women in high school and college, if they were smokers I couldn't get near them. Their breaths gave them away. Later on in life, I met someone I knew from high school who had become "unattached" again. She was VERY attractive in appearance, a slightly "blonder" version of actress Eva Mendes. She was even interested in me - but she smoked like a foundry and I couldn't handle it. We broke up because I just couldn't make the next step and she got tired of waiting. I never had the guts to tell her that it was her smoking that doomed us. And in a way, it wasn't ONLY that. But it was a very big contributor.

I think that's one of the reasons that (I personally contend that..) vaping seems even "worse" a habit than smoking. As a predator-habit, it is more successful because it comes without many of the unpleasantries of smoking. Thus, one does it more and more often and in more places, until one can hardly breathe! Truly insidious in my opinion.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Chemically speaking, it is possible that vaping is more harmful to the lungs that cigarettes because of the chemicals in the vapor that are not found in cigarette smoke.

 

[Vassago]

It depends on the liquid. There are so many brands and of course you have people making their own with bad chemicals. I also look at it as anything you put into your lungs is probably not a good idea if it's not meant to be there. I never liked vaping and just couldn't handle it. I like the pouches for their discretion and at least perceived safety compared to smoking. My dentist and doctors have confirmed for me that at least they don't see anything wrong with my gums or mouth that would make them tell me it was a bad move compared to smoking. Obviously, they tell me nicotine is bad as an addictive substance, but they seemed impressed by the products.

I'm smoke-free for about 3 years come March. I would never look back. After 3 years of using these pouches and no obvious signs of health problems from the pouches specifically, I feel pretty good about them.

 

[biskra]

I’ve also tried nicotine pouches here and there, but they never hit quite the same for me. I get why people like them, though—discreet, no smoke, and easier to use in public.

 

[Cotswold]

From my experience there is only one thing to do and that is to stop using anything with nicotine in.
It is a drug and your mind will demand it for years. I stopped in 1983 and never smoked again. I was told and understood that it would be ten years before the desire to smoke was not there. I would say that is probably not far out. With me maybe 8 to 9 years. I smoked two packs, 40 a day. In the first half hour of getting up I would smoke three to get the nicotine levels up.

Only recently I discovered that Big Tobacco, not satisfied with nicotine addiction added chemicals to cigarettes to increase desire and pleasure.
You can safely assume that those same chemicals will be in vapes. Those chemical concoctions that put out two or three times the volume of smoke compared to a cigarette. Which no doubt explains how people are addicted to them, even if they do not contain nicotine. You don't need to be a scientist to know that vapes contain a variety of chemicals in a device designed to addict. Many of those chemicals will cause harm. They may have less tar but cannot be considered 'safe' in any way.

The problem in using vapes and patches is that your body is still receiving nicotine. Therefore it is so easy to drop back onto cigarettes. Your body and mind will always want to increase the dose to get the hit. Nicotine enters the blood stream in a second or two from a cigarette. You have to remove nicotine totally. Starve your body of it totally. It is the only way, then after maybe 8 years you won't think, I'll just have one.

Once I stopped for over a year, then on holiday bought a packed after lunch and smoked a few. After the holiday for I didn't smoke until after lunch. But within a fortnight I was back on 40 a day. When you stop you will unconsciously replace, so you will maybe put a stone on in the short term.

I used the same system to stop drinking over eight years ago and still the idea comes to mind on a sunny summers day "maybe I'll just have one In the pub?" But less so over the last couple of years. Addictive substances has been added to alcohol to increase desire over the last thirty plus years. Which is why when you have a beer, or a wine, you immediately want another. Even though the pleasant taste from the first has gone. You will never see an ingredient list on alcohol because it has been strongly lobbied against by the industry.
As far as I'm concerned, all of the pubs can close for all I care and good riddance!

Drugs are like religion. They waste time and money, leaving no long term tangible benefit.

 

[Isaac]

I'll try to resist the temptation to respond to your last sentence, laying out the obvious multitudinous ways that studies have shown many positive things about religious people and it being the primary venue through which religious people accomplish all sorts of great things in life and life-satisfaction.....Other than that blurb right there.

I think Pouches are the safest and by a long short. I'm thinking if Cigarettes are a #100 danger, then Vape is a #85 danger, and Pouches are like #15. They have nothing but flavor and nicotine, and you aren't inhaling any sticky stuff into your lungs, they just sit in your mouth.
I use them and have read extensively many times trying to find anything inherently wrong with pure nicotine, and really can't.
Yes, you can find articles that say "5 reasons nicotine is bad for you", but by the time you eliminate "because you're addicted to something" and "heart rate" [a ridiculously nominal amount], you've pretty much eliminated the whole article.

 

[Cotswold]

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with religion. Many people take a great deal of comfort from it and I have no problem with it, for that reason alone. My problem, being more than a little beyond agnostic. Is the logic of it all and it's apparent reliance on superstition and man made laws that have been changed over time but must be obeyed. But I've no intention of discussing the matter as there will be no agreement. Even catholics and non-catholics cannot agree and they have the same god. Just look at Celtic and Rangers.

My wife and myself have very different views on religion, so we do not discuss it. Basically, because we'll never agree but accept the other's views.
I believe she is totally wrong as she does me but neither has the right to demand the other take their opinion.
Some people smoke and drink. Not as they claim for the taste but for the effect. Fine they can get on with it, what business is it of mine?
My summary is that if you want to stop using a drug you will only do it by stopping altogether. Take a little if you like but the requirement will increase over time.

 

[Isaac]

Yes, I suppose it all hinges on "tangible".
I agree with your summary premise, that in general, quitting drugs is usually more successful as a black-and-white, day-and-night stoppage (with plenty of support plans), rather than weaning. Although I think nicotine has been shown to be somewhat of an outlier there. But anyway.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Drugs are like religion. They waste time and money, leaving no long term tangible benefit.

Not entirely true - and remember, this is coming from a non-believer. I met my wife at a church-sponsored singles dance. We've been together 30 years now. I consider that a long-term tangible benefit. However, I do agree that there is a potential waste of time and money depending on just how seriously you take it.

 

[KitaYama]

I hope you don't mind if I jump in with some maybe nonsense.

Here, around 30 to 40 years ago, it was very hard to find someone who doesn't smoke. Every place you went, it was filled with smoke. I didn't know any friend, relative or anybody who smoked less than 30 cigarettes a day.
But leaving it to individuals to stop unhealthy behaviors, may take a very long long time to correct a society.
We, as individuals, are weak against the temptations filled around us. Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking,.....
It's really the society and the government that should help its people to have a more healthy life.
During these recent years, everything has changed. You can't find a single person who smokes in public. (Vaping included).

As of 2023, a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, shows the lowest point on record. Only 18.1% of adults still smoke.
According to the survey on the end of 2022, 14.8% of adults aged 20 and over reported smoking. This includes 24.8% of men and 6.2% of women.
This marks a significant decline from 2001, when 48.4% of men and 15% of women were smokers.

We have made significant progress in reducing smoking rates over the years through a combination of policies, social changes, and economic factors. Some key measures include:

1. Stronger Regulations – Over time, stricter smoking regulations has been introduced, including designated smoking areas, bans in many public spaces, and stricter advertising rules. (we don't have any smoking, tobacco, cigarette or vape ads, In TV, posters on public areas, etc)
2. Rising Tobacco Prices – While our tobacco prices are still lower than in some Western countries, gradual price increases and higher taxes have discouraged smoking.
3. Shift in Social Norms – Smoking used to be widely accepted, but public perception has changed. More people see smoking as undesirable, leading to fewer smokers and social pressure against it. It was started by teaching kids in school how harmful it is.
4. Corporate and Workplace Policies – Many companies now have stricter smoking policies, offering incentives to quit and creating smoke-free office environments. Some companies give a rise in salary if you quit smoking.
5. Health Campaigns and Support Programs – The government and private organizations have promoted awareness campaigns and provided quitting support, such as counseling services.
6. Declining Popularity Among Younger Generations – Unlike past generations, fewer young people take up smoking, thanks to awareness, lifestyle changes, and alternatives like heated tobacco products.

The change in the count of smokers was so slow that I doubt anyone noticed.
They did a good job to change the situation without putting anyone under pressure. Started teaching from primary school and tried to create a new value for manhood. For many of us, that Marlboro ad, a man with his horse sitting on a cliff and smoking a cigarette, was a dream. but not anymore.

 

[KitaYama]

Another example:
Piala Inc., has implemented a unique policy to incentivize non-smoking employees by granting them an extra six vacation days each year.