After more than a year of cancellations, postponements, and virtual events, live music festivals are now back on track. In Texas, the Austin City Limits Music Festival was able to make a successful return last November as they featured some of today’s top artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, and Tyler The Creator over two consecutive three-day weekends of fun and entertainment. Meanwhile, in California, the famed Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is set to bring the biggest music acts to the desert after a two-year hiatus.
As we look forward to having a good time at music festivals this year, it’s key that we’re mindful of the experience of other festival-goers. These days, music festivals are not as friendly for smokers as they were before. Some festival venues straight-up ban smoking, and choosing to light up at festivals that allow it may get you more than a few sideways glances. If you want to satisfy your nicotine cravings while at a music festival, we list some smoke-free alternatives below.
Snus
One great alternative to cigarettes is snus. Essentially, snus is a moist, finely ground tobacco product that can give you the nicotine kick that you need. Unlike chewing tobacco, which causes extreme saliva production, snus is significantly more discreet and doesn’t require you to spit as often as you would with spit tobacco. All you need to do is hold the snus pouch in your upper lip until the flavor is gone. If you enjoy the flavor of tobacco, but want to discreetly get your nicotine fix at a music festival, you should get your hands on snus.
Nicotine pouches
Another nicotine product that you put under your lip are nicotine pouches. While they may be similar to snus when it comes to function, nicotine pouches are tobacco-free and come in a variety of flavors, strengths, and sizes. Prilla also highlights that because nicotine pouches are not made from tobacco, they won’t stain your teeth or gums. Nicotine pouches have a more diverse and pleasant flavor experience compared to snus, with available flavors such as mint, citrus, and coffee. This means that you’ll have an enjoyable nicotine experience without causing others inconvenience at a music festival.
Dissolvable Tobacco
The popularity of dissolvable tobacco products may have waned, but you can still find these smoke-free alternatives in stores around the country. Dissolvable tobacco products come in a variety of forms, from thin films that look like breath strips to pellets that look like regular mints. Reynolds American is the second-largest tobacco company in the US, and has dissolvable tobacco products that resemble lozenges and come in fun flavors like dark mint, crema, and berry. To use dissolvable tobacco products, you simply put them in your mouth and keep them there until they dissolve. These deliver the same amount of nicotine cigarettes have, so it’s safe to say that this will satisfy your cravings at a music festival.
Nicotine patches
If you would rather not think of your nicotine consumption during the music festival, it may be best to opt for a nicotine patch. VeryWell Mind notes that nicotine patches provide a controlled and steady dose of nicotine throughout the day, keeping you satisfied as you enjoy the festival while pushing back on the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine patches resemble a clear or beige square bandage and come in three dosage strengths: 21 mg, 14 mg, and 7 mg. Keep in mind, though, that you should avoid smoking while using the patch as this can cause you to overdose on nicotine and experience symptoms such as headaches, confusion, and dizziness.
To discreetly satisfy your nicotine cravings at your next music festival, be sure to consider the options we’ve listed above.