In our time, in which every cigarette pack declares "smoking endangers your health," and the smoking areas in restaurants and trains are disappearing more quickly than the glaciers of the Alps, reports describing "the pleasure of smoking" appear bold. Regardless of this, tobacco influences the lives and lifestyles of innumerable people considerably, and its role as a historical cultural heritage is uncontested.

Trendy!

Into the19th century, Europeans consumed more tobacco as snuff than by chewing or smoking. Especially at the Spanish and French courts where almost all who had rank and name used snuff. Snuff was even considered a proven "Remedium" against headaches, toothaches, insomnia, coughs and colds. Through King Charles II, who had learned to appreciate its use during his exile in France, the use of snuff also spread to England. Queen Charlotte for example, the wife of George III, even became known as "Snuffy Charlotte." After 1700 the passion for snuff overran the continent. Napoleon Bonaparte (who is said to have inhaled over seven pounds of the fragrant brown powder monthly), Charles Darwin, and the Duke of Wellington are prominent examples of snuff users. Even Admiral Nelson, the victor of Trafalgar, would never set sail without a supply of snuff. It was also used as pay for English sailors. The old Swiss didn't renounce it either. It was used quite frequently - especially in the military - often with the singing of a regular "Snuff hymn".



Today snuff is celebrating a strong comeback after being almost entirely displaced by cigars and cigarettes over the last century. If you haven't already noticed this, you can see for yourself online. Follow the Snuff Pictures link on the homepage of Breeze GmbH (www.schnupftabak.ch). Based in Elgg (Canton Zürich), Breeze is the largest Swiss snuff business. "The Swiss snuff scene lives! Definitely!"The fact that once again an increasing number of people like to use snuff while they are snowboarding, lying on a beach or while they are in their favorite restaurant is amazing in view of the growing anti-tobacco movement. Certainly a warning also stands on the aluminum snuff cans concerning health risks associated with the rich smelling contents. But few snuff users can be held back from enjoying the pleasure of their snuff - just as smokers enjoy their cigars and cigarettes and pipe smokers enjoy their wooden instruments.

Moreover, non-smokers do not have to be afraid of passive smoke in the vicinity of snuff users. Although snuff contains nicotine (which may be damaging to ones health), it doesn't contain any of the cancer causing tar. Instead one experiences a short, somehow liberating effect if one makes two correct little pinches on the back of the left hand with the cover of the tin and inhales one in each nostril quickly and strongly. At this time, the correct handling of snuff should be noted. "Whoever uses the back of the right hand instead of the left exposes themselves as a novice," explains Breeze owner Thomas Fritsche on the simple, yet difficult to describe, handling of snuff. As to the snuff-feeling, he says: "If one immediately sneezes instead of enjoying their snuff, then they either have bad or dry tobacco." Fritsche doesn't argue with the fact that sometimes beginners have a difficult experience with the nicotine. "As a beginner, you might experience some nausea the first time you use snuff. But that passes away very quickly - lasting about 30 seconds at the longest."

The real essential enjoyment of the experience comes not simply from the comfortable feeling that spreads itself through ones head shortly after taking the snuff. The pleasure also comes from the act of sharing the ritualistic experience with a group of like-minded individuals - much like a group of cigar smokers. However, since using snuff doesn't create any passive smoke, it is "more environmentally friendly."

"Whoever uses the right hand to sniff, exposes oneself as a novice."

Last, but not least, the conviviality comes not only from the snuff itself but also from the "toasts" that the snuff users make together before sniffing their snuff. As the contents of these (more or less creative and original) sayings show, snuff use is predominantly the domain of men. However, that is changing. Fritsche says, "Certainly more and more women are enjoying a pinch of snuff."
The snuff that Breeze GmbH imports directly, packed in aluminum tins and ready-to-use, is manufactured by McChrystal's in Leicester, England. However, in Switzerland, there is also snuff for sale from other manufacturers. Besides McChrystal's, other well-known brands include Sturco, President, Jip, Ozona, , Gletscher, and Red Bull. Breeze also sells "trendy" (but not necessarily required) accessories such as gilded, polished snuff pipes - also through its website. As a sign of solidarity, many snuff users also wear T-Shirts and caps decorated with the logos of snuff manufacturers. According to Fritsche, they sell "like hotcakes."

As a "changing, yet still predominantly masculine domain," snuff is 'in' among the soldiers of today - as it was with the soldiers of the old confederacy. At least in certain units. "We parachutists have a tradition of using snuff," explains Fritsche. "From the officers down to the lowest ranking soldiers, everyone uses snuff."
This custom has found its way down to the parachutists from their pilots. Actually, the newest photo book from the Patrouille Suisse shows a picture of the members enjoying a pinch of snuff. "Our pilots and we parachutists stand together on this subject," adds Fritsche. "All of us are even part of the same snuff club."

Recently, a "Swiss Snuffing Championship" has been started. Regarding this competition, the parachute-jumping owner of Breeze is skeptical. "This is because of the large quantities that are consumed there. The winner is the one who can inhale the most snuff. That reminds one more of a drinking contest than of a real, healthy sport."