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What
is Snuff ?
Snuff
is a form of finely powdered tobacco, which is sniffed directly into the nostrils. The stimulating effect, subtly different to that of smoking
tobacco, can be found to be very satisfying whilst avoiding the known risk of
smoking. Snuff offers a pleasing and cleansing sensation and those concerned with the effects of
tobacco smoking can be assured by the fact that snuff does not reach the
lungs.
Techniques of Usage
The age old method of usage is to take a pinch of snuff powder between the thumb and fore finger and sniff it into one of the nostrils
with a sharp sniff and repeat it for the other nostril. For the first time user, the
tendency is to sneeze immediately which is natural with anything that gains entry
into the nose. However, by taking a couple of pinches subsequently the need to sneeze
reduces considerably and the indefinable effect of using snuff is felt.
Snuff Usage as early as in the 17th Century...
In the 17th century. Snuff formed a part of the Indian remedies to ease the effect
of common cold and the heaviness in the head associated with it,
giving relief from catarrh and similar complaints. It was used in
many countries around the world. In UK and Europe the aristocrats were the main
consumers. Snuff is today enjoying something of a revival in these
markets. The consumption of snuff in northern Europe has shown a stable rate of growth
during the past decade. This increase has occurred in conjunction with a decrease in
the consumption of cigarettes. During 2001, volumes continued to grow. In
2001, the total volume amounted to slightly more than 198 million cans.
In Sweden, which is the largest market in northern Europe, with almost a million snuff
consumers, about half of them are former smokers. The consumption of snuff is growing most rapidly among consumer categories with higher
educational and income levels than the average. Slightly more than 10
percent of the consumers are women.
Several Swedish studies have shown that suspicions concerning the carcinogenic
effects of snuff lack scientific support. During the year, the EU authorities
therefore decided to remove cancer warnings from packages of smokeless
tobacco, including snuff.
The North American market is the world’s largest,
approximately four times the size of the Nordic market, in terms of the number
of cans of Snuff.
In the Asian markets this habit is continuing as an alternative to smoking and a relief to congested nostrils.
Nicotine replacement
therapies...
A study conducted by the Swedish Cancer Foundation shows the consumption of
snuff to be twice as effective as NRTs (nicotine replacement
therapies such as nicotine chewing gum) in helping smokers to quit their
habit. The background to the transition from cigarettes to snuff involves increased
health awareness and increasing restrictions on smoking in a growing number of
places.
Madras Snuff...
Madras known as Chennai today is one of the cities in India, which is a major production hub
for the manufacture of various brands of snuff, basically due to climatic conditions, skilled labor and proximity
to the tobacco belt of Andhra Pradesh.
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