I think I’ll do a brief history of my usage of nicotine

Cigarettes – first hated the taste and gave the pack I bough (and put in the freezer) to a friend who smoked, then stubbornly got myself addicted to the darn things.  Smoked them for a good decade perhaps more, starting from my early to mid 20s

American “chew”/”dip” – bought a tin in 2010 and hated it.  tried selling it on our version of craigslist *slightly used* and only got one laughing reply.  Later, had a dip while in the hospital and unable to smoke (they gave us inhalers and gum, they are awful) and another patient let me try one.  It was not that bad.  Recently, many years after buying the first, and several years after the dip in the hospital, tried some American chew again (Copenhagen) after being used to snus.  I have gone through a Straight, Long Cut, and “Snuff” type copenhagens and enjoyed them all, although the “snuff” was probably the most efficient.  Probably will buy another tin this month since I like it.

Vape: Got into it pretty late and not too into it, I have used a gas station type vape along with a STLTH pod system (pretty much like Juul in Canada).  I didn’t mind it, very nice flavours but I spoke with some people recently who noted how it is hard to regulate your usage, you can just sit and play computer games with your friends and vape constantly in between matches, while a cigarette (if you don’t smoke inside) requires you to get up, out of your chair, take a break (good for you), and ask your friends to wait a minute while you puff.  Will probably get another three pod package (I love Allo’s STHLTH compatible Pomegranate Menthol) since I earned some store credit, but not looking to use it that much.

Nicotine Replacement (NR) – garbage.  Easily the worst and least fun method of getting nicotine, but I suppose it’s meant to be like that.  I tried patches, gum, inhaler, nothing really helped me.  I even used $500 my health insurance covers for these products and didn’t get off the nicotine hype train.  Oh well.  The worst part is Canada has banned nicotine pouches (think snus but no tobacco) for some reason, so the only fun nicotine replacement type thing is banned.

Heat-Not-Burn/IQOS device: This also helped me stay off the smoking (although you inhale vapour), I got a device a few years ago and it was replaced towards the end of the year long warranty.  Am currently doing a carton (180 heat sticks) while I wait for my snuff order.  Kind of in a weird spot, not quite as cheap as vape (but comparable) and not as gross as cigarettes (can do indoors) but fairly expensive ($82.99+GST for 180 “heets”).  It’s right in the middle of the road, not my favourite but something I’ll do since I already invested in the heating device (which requires cleaning).

Snus:  This is what got me really thinking I could quit smoking and vaping and I haven’t been smoking regularly since I got on the snus train.  Ettan regular is great, and I like loose (various kinds) as well, but usually stick with pouches.  The thing that made me stop ordering was customs, they would turn a $60CAD order into $160 very quickly with the way they taxed it, so it was a gamble.  Sometimes they’d stuff it in my apartment mailbox, other times they just wanted a signature, other times they wanted a $100 bill for customs.  Still cheaper to pay customs on a good brand than to buy the only brand available in stores here, which is $27.  Talked to a friend from Sudan, apparently they have a similar product which is much stronger.

Snuff: Perhaps the final frontier for me and tobacco, got interested in it through doing research on the history of tobacco, which lead me to Toque, and hopefully it will not give me the customs issues of snus [since it’s not taxed in the UK (so it’s “lower value” for customs) in the UK like snus is in Sweden], while providing the nicotine.  I did get some pipe and cigar tobacco and ground it up with some salt+water which gave me a taste of it, but I can’t wait for my first order to arrive.  I got a pretty good variety of different kinds to find out what I like and don’t like, hopefully try them and order more.  Thanks Roderick.