re: Has anyone tried any tobacco alternatives and what the effectiveness was?

switching real tobacco with concentrated nicotine pouches isnt better for you.

If you want to quit completely you can use something like Zyn and keep lowering the nicotine mgs until you ween yourself off. It's easier than going cold turkey, and will help with the withdrawals, but nicotine is as addictive as heroin. You will always want it. The cravings will get less intense but they never really go away.

I havent had a cigarette in 10 years, used to smoke a pack a day, and my entire body will still shake when I've had a drink or two and smell that intoxicating aroma of tobacco. Every morning i wake up and have to consciously deny myself a dip. I miss it everyday.

If you need a dip every once in a while try General swedish Snus. They sell it at most cigar shops. I like the white and the mint. It's processed differently and with less additives than american tobacco and is better for your mouth and throat, though it still has all the tobacco sideffect possibilities.