Snuff

Lung cancer and emphysema have scared you away from smoking? You like your teeth and jaw how they are? Nicotine patches and gum just won't satisfy the cravings? Fear not, oh addict, for there is another alternative. I'm talkin' 'bout snuff.

Feeding the nicotine monkey, 17th-century style

What? Cocaine? Yes, the habits are very similar, though snuff-takers didn't use mirrors, jewel cases, credit cards, razor blades, and straws or rolled-up currency. They might snort a pinch from their snuffboxes, or they might carry around a glass or ivory vial with a small spoon attached to the lid. Otherwise, the habits are much the same; both involve snorting stimulants, both are highly addictive, and both eventually destroy the septum and sinuses.

Does anyone still do this? Well, my own mother used to use the stuff back in grad school. Since she was at the time viciously addicted to nicotine, and smoking and chewing tobacco were both strictly forbidden in class, she would take snuff from one of the aforementioned ivory vials, causing everyone to think she had a raging cocaine habit. I myself have done the stuff, once, and found it unpleasant; while the nicotine rush is certainly nice, it's almost as irritating to the nose as sniffing ground pepper.

Where to get it

Sources:
"snuff" Encyclopędia Britannica
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=70185
Personal experience

Constructive criticism is welcome, as always. Thanks to wick for the inspiration.

Snuff (?), n. [Cf. G. schnuppe candle snuff, schnuppen to snuff a candle (see Snuff, v. t., to snuff a candle), or cf. Snub, v. t.]

The part of a candle wick charred by the flame, whether burning or not.

If the burning snuff happens to get out of the snuffers, you have a chance that it may fall into a dish of soup. Swift.

© Webster 1913.

Snuff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snuffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Snuffing.] [OE. snuffen. See Snuff of a candle Snuff to sniff.]

To crop the snuff of, as a candle; to take off the end of the snuff of.

To snuff out, to extinguish by snuffing.

© Webster 1913.

Snuff (?), v. t.[Akin to D. snuffen, G. schnupfen, schnuppen, to snuff, schnupfen a cold in the head, schnuppen to snuff (air), also, to snuff (a candle). Cf. Sniff, Snout, Snub, v. i.]

1.

To draw in, or to inhale, forcibly through the nose; to sniff.

He snuffs the wind, his heels the sand excite. Dryden.

2.

To perceive by the nose; to scent; to smell.

© Webster 1913.

Snuff, v. i.

1.

To inhale air through the nose with violence or with noise, as do dogs and horses.

Dryden.

2.

To turn up the nose and inhale air, as an expression of contempt; hence, to take offense.

Do the enemies of the church rage and snuff? Bp. Hall.

© Webster 1913.

Snuff, n.

1.

The act of snuffing; perception by snuffing; a sniff.

2.

Pulverized tobacco, etc., prepared to be taken into the nose; also, the amount taken at once.

3.

Resentment, displeasure, or contempt, expressed by a snuffing of the nose.

Snuff dipping. See Dipping, n., 5. -- Snuff taker, one who uses snuff by inhaling it through the nose. -- To take it in snuff, to be angry or offended. Shak. -- Up to snuff, not likely to be imposed upon; knowing; acute. [Slang]

© Webster 1913.