As the dangers of smoking become more and more apparent, worldwide tobacco use continues to decline. The numbers are in, and nearly seven million people gave up tobacco for good in 2018. With so many tobacco alternatives on the market today, it’s nearly impossible to choose one that fits your needs, your lifestyle, and your budget without spending hours doing the research. Luckily, we’ve done it for you; here are four of the best smoking alternative companies to support in 2020.
Why We Should Be Pushing For Alternatives
Before we start, let’s look closer at why we should be pushing for tobacco alternatives. It’s no secret that smoking and dipping can be dangerous habits. Tobacco contains nicotine, which is an addictive substance, and while many alternatives still contain nicotine, they don’t contain tobacco or the almost 7,000 chemicals that can (potentially) be present in a single cigarette or chewing tobacco jar.
Tobacco plants are sprayed with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which result in some nasty chemicals making their way into the final product; as well as the waterways and ecosystems around the tobacco farm. The tobacco industry is a major contributor to compromised waterways, deforestation, pollution, and more. That makes using tobacco not only a private health concern, but an environmental and public health concern, as well.
Second-hand smoke isn’t the minor inconvenience it’s made out to be, either. It’s deadly when inhaled in large quantities, and tends to pollute the air for several feet around the smoker. The bottom line? The world would be better off without cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Now let’s take a look at our four picks.
1. Black Buffalo
The leader in tobaccoless chew, Black Buffalo took aim at an age-old problem: creating a dip that looked, tasted, felt, and smelled like the real thing. Dipping is as much a cultural habit as a personal one. Many southern states thrived thanks to the tobacco industry, and it’s well-engrained into much of the south’s cultural practices. Tobacco is as American as apple pie, but ten times as deadly.
Black Buffalo’s chew is just as close to the real thing as you can get. Even seasoned tobacco users can’t seem to tell it apart from genuine tobacco! Black Buffalo offers some of your favorite classic flavors like Wintergreen and Mint, and some newer additions like Peach and Blood Orange. Black Buffalo’s chew is as close as you can get to tobacco without indulging in the harmful side-effects that tobacco offers.
This product does still contain nicotine, so it’s important to be aware of this fact before you buy. Many smokers have actually used tobaccoless chew to transition from smoking to a tobacco-free lifestyle.
2. Fully Loaded
Another addition to the tobacco-free dip market is Fully Loaded, a company that was built on the idea that tobaccoless chew shouldn’t suck. Fully Loaded offers nine different flavors, including Dark Wintergreen, Wintergreen, Mint, Peach, Classic, Bourbon, Berry, Cherry, and Straight.
Fully Loaded also offers a nicotine-free variety for those who want to rid themselves of nicotine addiction once and for all. The chew is still tasty, smells great, and feels similar to the real thing, but without the harmful chemicals including nicotine. This is a great option for current smokers or chewing tobacco enthusiasts who want to quit for good, but don’t want to spend a fortune on nicotine patches, gum, and treatments.
3. BaccOff
If you’re interested in handcrafted chewing tobacco alternatives, you want BaccOff. The brand is known for its commitment to quality and flavor, and its products will leave you wondering whether or not you’re actually dipping something that’s tobacco-free! The products are simply that close to the look, feel, and smell of real tobacco.
The company offers an impressive lineup of flavors and varieties, ranging from Coffee to Apple flavor to Wintergreen and Mint. Best of all, if you’re not completely sure about tobacco alternatives, BaccOff will send you free samples.
BaccOff is a family-owned business, and everything is handcrafted with care. Quality is the number one concern here, but don’t take my word for it. Head over to the website and get a free sample today.
4. Brown Bear Herbal Cigarettes
Herbal cigarettes are an interesting addition to the tobacco alternatives market, and Brown Bear Herbs is a company that stands out among the competition. There’s nothing better than a hand-rolled cigarette, unless, of course, it doesn’t contain any tobacco or nicotine! Crafted from herbs like lavender, lobelia, catnip, blackberry leaf, and more, you’ll still get the sensation of smoking but from herbs that don’t contain harmful chemicals.
That being said, there’s not much evidence around herbal cigarettes, so always be wary before you start smoking them. Do your research and don’t ignore the science!
