The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-18
PEOPLE WHO USE SNUFF.
A Heavy Consumption of the Article
in Chicago.
from the Chicago Chronicle.

From the Chicago Chronicle.)
Chicago consumes more than 10000
pounds of tobacco in the form OF snun
every month. Startling as these figures
are they do not seem SO when compared
with the total monthly consumption of to-
bacco in Chicago, which is. in round num-
bers about 375, 600 pounds. But Chicago
appetite for this nerve destroyer is not a
whit keener than 1t is in other communi-
ties. Considering over one-hah the earth
human population use tobacco in some
form, they consume 2.63e.00O,oOo POUNDS
annually. which is about seventy ounces
per capita for those who use the weed and
about thirty-fve ounces for every human
being in the world. The average annual
production in the United States is 100000
900 pounds and includes over fifty varie-
ties.
Chicago snuff users will be found in ev-
cry grade Of society; practically all of IT
is made in the United States and great
deal OF it here In Chicago. though there
are brands OF Irish, Scotch. German,
French, Turkish, and every other country
that makes Celebrated snuff in the list
of the American make. Snuff users admit
that the Chicago brands of the foreign
snuff are better than the imported articles.
This is accounted for by the fact that the
many varieties OF American tobacco allow
for snuff making and that the better
grades of this country are rather superior
to the foreign weed. Then, again. greater
care is taken by the Chicago factories in
fermenting and in the other processes OF
manufacture.
Although all brands OF all countries are
made in the United States, perhaps nine
tenths OF the consumption in the West and
Northwest is Copenhagen" For many
Denmark
ed for is superior snuff, but Scandinavians
coming to America find the Chicago and
other American makes of Copenhagen
quite as good as the Denmark article. In
this connection it may be remarked that
the Scandinavians-that is, people from
Norway. Sweden. Denmark, and Iceland
are larger consumers OF snuff in proportion
to their number than nearly any other race
Many of them prefer 1t to any other form
of preparation for chewing tobacco.
Many more of the people of Chicago use
snuff clandestinely than Is generally sup
posed. Dipping snuff is by no means
confined to women who come from the tro-
pics, only the same excuse. or reason. rata
er. is not given by northern-born women.
Those OF Spanish or Italian blood dip
snuff" first, to whiten their teeth as well
as to preserve them, and. second, because
they like the taste OF the tobacco nor do
they try to conceal the fact that they use
1t. The Northern woman may and may not
use IL because she likes the flavor OF the
tobacco as well as she likes that method
of caring for her teeth, but those who
know by experience say 1t is impossible for
one to use snuff on the teeth great while
without coming to like the taste Of 1t.
As Is generally known. dipping snuff
means using it on brush. The brush Is
a short stick four or five inches long, One
end is chewed until the fbres are loos
ened. when they form brush. The brush
is moistened with saliva. dipped into snuff
and applied to the teeth by brisk rubbing.
But the hand soon gets tired and while 1t
is resting the brush remains in the mouth.
which is another way of chewing tobacco,
as the cuspidor would testify if called up
on. Nearly all snuff is highly perfumed.
which makes it inviting to dip" as we'll
as for inhalation through the nose, and
many Is the Chicago woman who uses 1t
both vays But there are men snuff dip
pers. and plenty of them. In fact. some
men prefer chewing the snuff brush to
fine cut or plug tobacco, to say nothing OF
the supposed advantage Of snuff to the
teeth.
A local snuff dealer Is responsible for
the assertion that there are many wo-
mems snuff clubs in Chicago. They are
composed OF few bosom friends who
meet at stated times or ION call" and
while discussing whatever they have to
discuss the snuff box is passed around for
dip of Copenhagen" or SOM. other
favorite brand. Naturally enough, these
snuff clubs do not advertise themselves. nor
do they give receptions. picnics. and the
like. They are distinctly close corpora
tons and their business is transacted In
private. But Scard.navians. spaniards.
Italians. Turks aid other nationalities
whose native laAd social conventions en-
dorsed snuff-taking do not beat about the
bush. They use it publicly and feel com
plimented or at least feel less lonesome.
II some one will Join them in dip" or
in a nasal inhalation. 1T Is all mere
matter of how you were raised whether
you use SNUFF secretly or in public" said
dealer. "but anyway a great deal OF
snuff is sold in Chicago every day for To-
cal consumption. and the presumption Is
prcp'n 10 rot buy it for the fun Of throw
Ing 1t away"