Haha... It is quite funny to read about this, because I know this very well (as a Norwegian). But, I live in Hungary now and here nobody has ever heard about it. but, the Norwegian students studying medicine in Budapest are crazy about it, and they always bring snus with them back to Budapest whenever they travel to Norway, and I often see posts from people who lack snus, asking other students who will come to Budapest again to bring it with them.
However, the first time my wife traveled on a plane to Norway all by herself, she was sitting next to someone placing the snus into his mouth. She had never seen it before, and she had no clue what he was doing... she just told me after arrival that it was really smelly and disgusting... haha! So, I explained her all about it, and now she at least knows what it is! :)
I guess it is better than smoking, but it is still quite harmful to your the area above your teeth in your mouth... so even though it is better than smoking, the best would probably be to skip both!
Take care! :)
your wife thought it was smelly and disgusting. That must have been a rude snuser or perhaps he was using the loose kind that is almost like a powder and you have to roll it yourself. I can see how that would be smelly because the person would have had to leave the pack open for a while. I only use the packets and for the most part, unless I tell people that i am using it, they don't even know.
I had never heard of snus until i was introduced to it by some Swedes and i think it has some popularity in America but for the most part it is still just a Scandi thing.
You are right, she was sitting next to a person who used the powder and had to make the "package" himself... I guess that was most of the problem as he did that on the plane sitting next to her... :)
yeah, even though I use snus that gets on my nerves as well. There is a HUGE difference in how strong it is compared to the little packets though so if you see someone "rolling their own" you know they are hardcore. They probably also constantly have tiny bits of tobacco between their teeth at all times as well, which doesn't happen with what i use.
Anyway, there I go again trying to justify its use :)
I am not sure about you and if you have it as well, but it can so easily be seen on those hardcore users as well that they are using it, because the upper part of their mouth is looking so different, almost like they constantly walk with a tiny object (which they often do) inside their mouth, over their teeth!
something like this
ha! well that would be pretty extreme. With the tiny pouches like in my picture it is so small that unless you tell people you are using it they don't even know. Many people I know were surprised when I told them. Of course you have to be a little bit wonky during photographs because it can end up showing up if you smile really big.