Joseph Hart 16 November 2024

 

News that Hollywood A-lister Josh Brolin is using nicotine pouches around the clock was met with a mix of fascination, indifference, and shock at the sheer scale of his operation. Naturally, there were a few “experts” ready on hand to remind us that we don’t have enough long-term data about the health effects of pouches, oblivious to the existence of data about snus use in Sweden.

I would never advocate that someone use pouches 24 hours a day. Or stuff them into their mouth when they sleep. But if that’s what the 56-year-old actor wants to do, that’s his business. However, I think there is a more important thing to consider.

Hardcore habit

Brolin has never been the kind of guy to do things in half measures. He was reportedly a hardcore drinker and smoker. While he gave up the booze, he kept the nicotine, and, per his interview on WTF with Marc Maron, he leaned into nicotine lozenges. Until they started to rot his teeth.

The thing is, some people are just destined to want to use nicotine. I know this because I am one of those people. The stimulant just has so many pleasant and lowkey benefits that I prefer a world where I can use it frequently.

Josh Brolin amidst colorful nicotine pouches, symbolizing transformation and harm reduction.

Like Brolin, if it weren’t for the availability of harm-reduction products, nicotine would be an addiction for me. Without vapes and pouches, I’d hopefully use lozenges, but there’s just as good a chance that I’d still smoke.

Sometimes, I think about how different my life would be. For starters, I know my beautiful, wonderful partner would not have given me a chance all those years ago. I’d also be creeping up toward my 30th year of smoking. In all likelihood, that permanent cough I had might have morphed into something a bit more concerning.

So, while some people might be a bit shocked by Brolin’s admission, it’s relatable for ex-smokers. It’s also good news for film fans.

Much more to give

I have a “rule” for judging a great actor. As long as they’ve got three great performances, they get to enter the pantheon. Brolin comfortably makes it because of his outstanding turns in Sicario, No Country for Old Men, and True Grit.

He’s only in his mid-50s, so there is so much more to come. To a large extent, that’s because he’s made adjustments to a wild lifestyle. However, others weren’t so lucky.

Montage of late actors with Josh Brolin and nicotine pouches, contrasting smoking past and modern alternatives.

Think of what we could have gotten from these public figures if they had access to smoking alternative products back in their day.

  • Humphrey Bogart died from esophageal cancer aged 57.
  • Smoking contributed to Patrick Swayze’s death from pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.
  • The incredible Yul Brynner died of lung cancer aged 65.
  • Nat King Cole died of lung cancer at age 45.
  • Edward R. Murrow, the incredible broadcaster, died of lung cancer at age 57.

This is just a shortlist of public figures that mean a lot to me. We all have our own list. They died way too young and with so much left in the tank.

So, when people tut at Brolin for using pouches, they should think about the alternative. He could be making headlines today because he passed away at 57, like Murrow, Bogart, or Swayze.

Instead, we get to look forward to many years of interesting work from the lantern-jawed performer.

More importantly, we all know people who have touched our lives that were cut down in their primes. There are so many missed conversations, birthdays, milestones, and shared experiences that can now exist only in our minds.

So yeah, while Brolin’s 24-hour-a-day habit is a bit extreme for my tastes, if it means we get another Coen Brothers movie out of him, then I’ll take it.