Is it a performance enhancer? Not really. More of a semi-sacred ritual that passes the time, lowers stress, and distracts you. Because baseball, if you hadn't noticed, is really damn slow. That's not to mention a surprising number of finance guys. As a vice, it's got plenty of advantages. If you're a trader, you don't have to leave your desk and lurk in a doorway with other cigarette-smoking reprobates.
You can stay in front of your Bloomberg terminal, spitting into empty soda cans. He prefers not to use his name, since he's in the closet at both work and home where he keeps the tins hidden in the basement, away from his wife. I justified my habit because I told myself I was doing research. Max Shea—who works in international equities at Cantor Fitzgerald—tells me he dips when he has to work late nights writing reports. A third tells me, "There are more of us than you think.
I live in a small Connecticut town where a lot of people work in finance. And the gas station here has a whole fridge full of smokeless tobacco. I am doing a research project on my family history and go visit a seventy-two-year-old genealogist at her home to discuss the latest findings.
She goes to the kitchen and hands me a glass. It's got a picture of a nineteenth-century rabbi on it—part of a collection, she tells me. Her eyes widen. You shouldn't be spitting on the rabbi. Spitting is the most controversial part of smokeless tobacco. It's the part my family hates most, thanks to the half-filled Diet Coke cans I often forget to clean up that dot the tables of my apartment.
Miraculously, no one has yet taken a swig. True dip fans swear by expectorating. And yet not all smokeless tobacco requires spitting. I figure it's time to test out some saliva-free versions. First, I try a tin of dry snuff. Snuff is powdered tobacco you can ingest by snorting. It's got a long history—Beethoven and Napoleon loved to carry around boxes of it—but snuff just reminds me of cheap, dirty-looking cocaine. When I sniff a little mound, it makes my nose burn, then I sneeze repeatedly.
I can't get over the brown powder all over my hands. I look like I just came in from plowing potato fields. Next I test out an increasingly popular product called snus. Snus started in Sweden, where they remain hugely popular. They're little individual packets of tobacco, each one the size of a Chiclet. You tuck the snus into your upper lip, not the lower, because it's the Scandinavian way.
There's some evidence snus might be a tad healthier than chew, though I wouldn't bet my insurance premium on it. Regardless, they cause much less saliva. You rarely if ever need to spit. I tuck a snus into my lip one afternoon at my laptop and immediately fall for them. Snus are clean, compartmentalized, modern—a bite-sized version of Ikea. They're prepackaged and convenient, like my kids' juice boxes. The Dip Doctor would be disappointed.
And I feel un-American. Are Chew and Dip Addictive? Are Chew and Dip Harmful? Yes—there are many harmful health effects of chewing tobacco and dip, including: Cancer. Smokeless tobacco has high levels of chemicals and other substances that can cause cancer, especially mouth and throat cancer. It can also cause leathery white patches in the mouth that can turn into cancer.
Tooth decay and mouth sores. The sugar in smokeless tobacco can cause tooth decay and painful mouth sores. Poor gum health. How to Quit Quitting smokeless tobacco is a lot like quitting smoking, but there are some differences. Quit Notes. Avoid external triggers. Go places and do things where smoking and tobacco aren't allowed. That will help you avoid the urge to reach for a can or chew. Switch to lower nicotine snuff. This way, you cut down your nicotine dose while you are getting ready to quit.
This can help to prevent strong withdrawal, when you quit. Don't switch to other tobacco products like cigarettes or cigars! In fact, if you already smoke, this is a good time to quit smoking.
That way you can get over all your nicotine addiction at once. Talk to your physician or dentist about nicotine substitutes. List some types of forms of options of these substitutes without name brand names. Tips to help you quit chew Make your quit day special right from the beginning. You are doing yourself a huge favor. Change daily routines to break away from tobacco triggers. When you eat breakfast, don't sit in the usual place at the kitchen table.
Get right up from the table after meals. Make an appointment to get your teeth cleaned. You will enjoy the fresh, clean feeling and a whiter smile. Keep busy and active. Start the day with a walk, run, swim or workout. Aerobic exercise will help you relax. Plus, it boosts energy, stamina and all-around fitness and curbs your appetite. Chew substitutes. Try sugar-free hard candies, cinnamon sticks, gum, mints, or sunflower seeds. Carry them with you and use them whenever you have the urge to dip or chew.
Nicotine withdrawal Withdrawal symptoms don't last long. Remember they will pass Avoid situations and people that you associate with chewing Chew on carrots, apples, celery or sugar-free gum, as alternatives to dip Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques Ask your doctor about nicotine replacement products What can I do about weight gain?
To limit the amount of weight you gain, try the following: Eat well-balanced meals and avoid fatty foods Consume small pieces of fruit to satisfy your cravings for sweets Keep low-calorie foods handy for snacks; consider trying popcorn, sugar-free gums and mints, and fresh fruits and vegetables Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day Work about 30 minutes of daily exercise into your routine What can I do about depression and anxiety?
Here are some tips for dealing with anxiety and depression while you are quitting: Identify events, places and activities that cause depression and anxiety. What about those things makes you feel anxious or depressed? Address these issues. Spend time with a friend or loved one Spend time in a quiet, relaxing environment Reduce caffeine intake Exercise to lift your mood and lower anxiety Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga or meditation If anxiety or depression persists for more than a month, contact your doctor.
They can offer information about prescription medications or other interventions that can help you cope with these symptoms. Know your triggers In addition to physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, people, places and activities in your daily life may trigger an urge to dip. Triggers may include: Being in places where you dipped or chewed the most Being around other people who dip Stress or boredom Drinking coffee or alcohol Starting the day Dealing with triggers Anyone quitting chew is best equipped to deal with their triggers when they know what they are.
Here are some tips for identifying and beating your triggers: Write down events, situations and people who might trigger you. Create a plan for how you will navigate them ahead of time.
Create a list of things you can do when you feel a strong urge to chew. This may include going for a walk, chewing gum, brushing your teeth, or having a healthy snack. Questions About Smoking. Questions About Quitting Tobacco.
Questions About Electronic Cigarettes. View More.
0コメント