Aloha all,

I have a topic to bring up for discussion: Do you consider snuffing a habit or a hobby. I call it one of my hobbies, and my friends all think that quaint description is quite amusing. I grant that this hobby does contain nicotine, and that it is addictive, but due to the diverse amount of flavors, tobacco types, accessories and related conversation, I have so much fun snuffing that I can't help thinking of it this way. I don't know for certain, but I doubt there is a cigarette board out there that gets this kind of interesting discussion; what is there to talk about? I didn't get into snuff to quit smoking, I have always done it because I enjoy all the various aspects of it. I love talking about snuff, here and with my local friends, and I enjoy taking snuff... quite a lot actually! I like fiddling with my different little snuff accessories, taking snuff with all the different little tools that I have acquired. I've got quite the handkerchief collection going, every time I order from Rajek's I get a new handkerchief, because they have a good variety of colors and designs (I like the Bavarian crest one, although the material is a bit coarse and thin, unfortunately). I also enjoy the international nature of this hobby, we have people from many areas of the globe contributing here on this site, and it really is entertaining. At this point I must thank Alex for providing such an excellent gathering place. Anyhow, I will quit rambling here.

Your thoughts?

Aloha,
Justin

Agreeing with both Justin and Alex, I would have to say a hobby. I enjoy the affiliation that I have here with the gentlemen who visit this site. Knowing that we share common bonds in snuffing and through this association the hobby begins....meeting new people,the sharing of ideas,opinions,and new finds(diffrent blends,manufactures,gadgets).I do not classify my use as a habit(an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary) because I can go days without even a thought of its use, and when the thought arises it is satiated with its use primarily in the evening when all my duties for the day have subsided and I kick back in my easy chair to relax and reflect.

Mo

I grind tobacco every day.
Hey, that's a nice habit, isn't it? :-)

As long as you keep discussing, I don't care. :-D

I agree--all forms of tobacco are interesting, and most of them pretty good.
One good thing about snuff as opposed to smoking is it is pretty easy to stop snuffing for a few days. Far as I can tell, the order of difficulty for stopping using the form of tobacco is this, starting with the hardest--cigarettes, pipe, cigars, chew, snuff, creamy snuff (a sort of toothpaste). Never tried tobacco enemas, but they were quite popular with native Americans in South America and probably elsewhere. Sounds nutty at first, but why not?
Since snuff is easy to quit using, it makes tobacco use much more of a hobby than a habit or addiction. Even still, there is a nicotine buzz that I do miss after a time...

Merlin, you might be right. I wonder what others think about the order. For me, it may simply be that smoking is toooo good, so it is harder for me to control. If I stick to snuff and snus, tobacco is mainly a hobby. But if I start smoking (love pipes), then it becomes an addiction. While I am at it, would you mind recommending a couple of good pipe tobaccos? I have not smoked a pipe regularly for over twenty years. Last time I tried, I thought the tobacco was pretty disappointing. I like pretty strong stuff, a bit earthy, fullsome smoke, with some "weight." Maybe the smoke equivalent of Latakia snuff or F&T's Princes.
Hope Alex doesn't mind us bringing up other kinds of tobacco here. I think this site should be mainly about snuff, but have some detours into other types. As for tobacco enemas, I have read that they were used quite often by native Americans and that, among other effects, they can rid the body of intestinal worms. They also made a liquor and drank the stuff, also in part as a cure for worms. If anyone wants to try this, BE CAREFUL, as a tobacco enema can be fatal!

Alvin,

I'd Reccomend Dunhills 965. If you like Latakia I equate it to the Texas of pipe tobacco. Thats one of my favorites, or..Ratrays 3 noggins (be careful with this one, it can bite). Earthy, Try erinmore flake, or anything by samual gawith. 1792 flake is good. My ALL TIME FAVORITES.... anything by Cornell & Diehl. try mississippi mud. Some good english blends are from Mcleland. No. 6, and frog morton are supreme.

Merlin:
My local tobacconist did not have any of the ones you recommend. So I got one of his bulk items called "Black Kathy." It is a very dark, strong Cavendish--looks like F&T's Princes before being ground. Don't know who makes this stuff but it seems pretty good to me.
If you have any other input on pipes or pipe tobaccos, I would most appreciate it. I guess I will put in an order with Marrs, but I want to try the pipe for a while to see if I even want to start again. So far, so good.
Also, if you, or anyone, knows of a "cleaner" pipe tobacco--no additives, maybe even organic--that still burns well and tastse good, please let me know.
Thanks, A

I don't really get my nicotine fix via snuff. I feed my 'habit' with snus, the occasional cans of domestic dip etc. Cigarettes were also a habit for me a few years ago. Now a days I can have a few smokes if I am out at a bar or something and be fine, but if they are around the house I'll tend to smoke em up. ;) I smoke cigars when I golf or when the weather permits some leisurely porch time - and that too is more hobby than anything else.

Snuff is pure hobby fodder for me. I really geek out on it and research the heck out of brands, regions, and types.

You guys got me thinking about re-trying pipes again...

Cheers,
S

Interesting point you’re making, in the summer of last year I met a professor of addictions at a British university (better not say which) and he told me he liked to use snuff but he had never found it addictive. I think it is useful to break the addiction in smokers and chewing tobacco users and can then be picked up and put down at will. I’m going to raise this in another topic and see what people feel.

Hobies can turn into habits. Habits can turn into hobies. They are one and the same. Is it a bad thing? That depends on who you ask and what their hoby is. For me, snuffing is a little bit of both. At least there's some culture involved.