It is shocking that it wasn’t until the 50s that we finally began to understand the dangers associated with smoking. And as medical science has advanced we have realised that smoking is far worse for us than we ever thought. One thing we have learnt is that nicotine itself isn’t actually that harmful to our bodies. It is on a similar level to caffeine in regards to toxicity and danger. It is all the extra chemicals contained within cigarettes that are dangerous.
In fact nicotine can be used in positive ways. It can increase focus, improve your mood, and help deal with stress and anxiety. And we are lucky to be living in an age where we now have a wealth of alternative ways to consume nicotine that don’t involve smoking.
Today we are looking at the two most popular smoking alternatives of the modern age. Vaping and Snus. We should note that we are looking at the Snus variants that don’t contain tobacco. They are sometimes called nicotine pouches. We are going to be examining the benefits and risks associated with both methods.
Vaping
Vaping has long since replaced smoking as the most popular and fashionable method of nicotine consumption. It has become so popular in fact that there are thousands upon thousands of people who enjoy nicotine free vapes. And this leads us into one of the main advantages of vaping. The ability to better moderate nicotine intake.
Most vape liquids come in a range of strengths. Starting as low as 1mg. This means that if you’re using vaping to try to quit nicotine altogether you can gradually lower your intake and eventually switch to nicotine free vape juice. A lot of modern marketing for vape shops will put an emphasis on the diverse range of vape juices and the varying strengths.
Vaping is also far cheaper than smoking. One vaporiser can potentially last you a few years. And vape juice is relatively cheap for how long it lasts. This is assuming you are using a reusable vape and not disposable ones.
And this leads us into a very important risk associated with vaping. Disposable vapes should be avoided where possible. There are currently a number of studies being carried out on disposable vapes. But the main concern is that the vape liquid they use is filled with more harmful chemicals than reusable vape liquid.
Snus
Snus, or nicotine pouches, have recently started making the rounds in the USA. These are small pouches that have been imbued with nicotine. They are placed under the lips, over the gums, where the nicotine is absorbed into your system. They are one of the most discreet nicotine consumption options out there, second only to nicotine patches.
Like vaping, nicotine pouches come in a variety of flavours and strengths. They use a dot system to highlight how much nicotine they contain. Be warned, nicotine pouches can be very strong. If you aren’t used to consuming a lot of nicotine then anything above four dots is likely to make you feel very sick.
The main advantage of using nicotine pouches to quit smoking is that they remove the ritualistic aspect that is associated with smoking and vaping. Studies have shown that the physical act of holding a cigarette or vape, and all the movements included in the consumption process, play into the addictive nature of the products. Nicotine pouches remove this association while still providing a solid hit of nicotine. Their other advantage is that they can be used anywhere. On planes, in theatres, at work. This is extremely useful for stemming cravings and can make the whole quitting process a lot easier.
There are a few risks associated with nicotine pouches. The first is that, until you are used to them, they can make you feel a bit queasy or even induce vomiting. It is important that you start on the lower strengths to avoid this. They can also give you the hiccups if you swallow too much saliva while you have one in your mouth.
Some studies have suggested that they can lead to a number of oral issues. Including an increased risk of mouth cancer. They can also lead to receding gums if used too often.