Snus is a tobacco product that originates from Sweden. Unlike cigarettes, it is not smoked and is instead placed in the mouth. Some may consider the use of snus to be less harmful than cigarettes and believe that it can help with smoking cessation. However, there are some risks associated with snus use.
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What is snus?
Snus is a tobacco product, sold as a loose powder or in a small pouch. It is used by placing the pouch under the top lip next to the gum.[1]
In the US, snus is produced and sold by a limited number of brands, including:
- Skoal
- Camel
- Marlboro
Swedish snus is produced by many brands, including:
- Siberia
- Skruf
- Oden’s
- Lyft
- Göteborgs Rapé
Where does snus come from?
Snus originates from Sweden. Tobacco products have been used worldwide for hundreds of years and around the 1700s, Swedes began using it by placing it under the lip. Following this, moist snus was manufactured extensively in Sweden. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Swedes emigrated to America, bringing snus and making it a common tradition among Swedish/American neighborhoods.[2]
Is it the same in America?
In Sweden, snus is pasteurized to lower the amount of carcinogenic chemicals such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines. These chemicals are associated with cancer and other health risks.
Manufacturing processes in the US differ and studies have found significantly higher levels of carcinogenic nitrosamines in US snus. As such, American snus differs substantially from Swedish snus and potentially causes more health risks.[3]
Additionally, Swedish snus is found to contain higher levels of nicotine. This can increase the addiction potential. However, for people who intend to quit smoking by using snus, the higher nicotine levels can be beneficial. Low nicotine levels in US snus may lead to dual use of snus and cigarettes when cravings are not satisfied.[4]
What is snus made of?
Snus is ground tobacco, packaged as a powder into small pouches. The tobacco is usually mixed with salt, water, sodium carbonate, and preserving agents, to prevent the mixture from drying out. It can also include flavorings, such as mint.[1]
Is it different from chewing tobacco?
Chewing tobacco and snus are both tobacco products. They differ in the way they are produced and used. Snus is created as a powder or in pouches while chewing tobacco is sold in leaf form, twisted into a rope, or pushed into a small brick.
Both products are used orally. Snus is placed under the lip and left for several hours while chewing tobacco is chewed or placed in the cheek or gum and sucked. Chewing tobacco produces a liquid or residue that people will spit out or swallow. Snus does not cause a residue that requires spitting out.[5]
Is Zyn the same as Snus?
Zyn has become an increasingly popular alternative to other forms of nicotine in the US in recent years. While it appears to be very similar to snus on the surface, Zyn has some characteristics that differentiate it from traditional snus.
These differences include:
Tobacco content: Snus contains ground tobacco while Zyn is a tobacco-free nicotine product. The tobacco in snus produces more saliva buildup (called drip) which delivers nicotine to the system faster than Zyn.
Flavor: Due to the tobacco content of snus, users will often experience a richer smoky flavor. As Zyn is tobacco-free, manufacturers can produce more unique, milder flavors that are delivered over a longer period.
Ingredients: As mentioned previously, snus is primarily comprised of tobacco, as well as water, salt, and aroma enhancers. Zyn on the other hand contains mostly synthetic materials derived from tobacco and other artificial flavorings.
The rise in popularity of snus
In Sweden, snus has become more popular than cigarette smoking, with reportedly only 5% of adults now smoking cigarettes. This has contributed to a significant decline in tobacco-related disease.[6]
Snus is becoming more widely used in other countries, including the US. Many people who use snus do so because:[7]
- It is healthier: Many athletes use snus instead of cigarettes as snus does not impair lung capacity and athletic performance. Snus causes much fewer health risks than cigarette smoking.
- External influences: As the popularity of snus rises, people are influenced by others to use snus instead of smoking cigarettes.
- Costs: Snus is often much cheaper than cigarettes.
- Ease of use: As snus is smokeless and can be placed in the mouth for several hours, it can be used where smoking is banned.
Is snus better for you than smoking or vaping?
In the US, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of all preventable diseases and deaths. Over 480,000 Americans die every year because of smoking-related illnesses. Smoking contributes to a national cost of over $600 billion per year, including billions spent on healthcare and lost productivity.[8]
Secondhand smoke also contributes to a significant number of US deaths. Over 40,000 people die of lung and heart diseases per year caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.[9]
Vaping is considered less harmful than cigarette smoking but also contributes to several diseases and deaths. In 2020, over 2800 cases of e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) were reported, which caused 68 deaths.[10]
Snus is considered to be much less harmful than smoking, as it does not affect the lungs and is significantly less likely to increase the risk of various cancers.[6]
What are the risks?
Despite being less harmful than cigarette or e-cigarette smoking, snus is not completely harmless. Risks associated with snus use include:[4][6]
- High risk of addiction: Snus often contains higher amounts of nicotine than cigarettes, making it very addictive.
- Tooth and gum disease: Snus is placed in the mouth, which can lead to decay and disease in the teeth and gums.
- Cardiovascular risks: Nicotine increases blood pressure and heart rate, which can contribute to increased risks of cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and stroke.
- Cancer risks: Using snus can increase the risk of oral, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers.
- Harm during pregnancy: Using snus while pregnant can harm the fetus, including reduced birth weight and premature birth. It can also contribute to an increased risk of pre-eclampsia.
Is snus legal everywhere?
Aside from Sweden, it is not legal to sell snus anywhere in the EU. It is also illegal in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Snus is legal in the US and is also sold legally in Norway and Switzerland.[6]
Using snus to give up smoking
Snus is very popular in Sweden, where it has become more widely used than cigarettes. This suggests that it can be a helpful tool for people wanting to quit smoking. In Sweden, cases of lung cancer and smoking-related deaths have decreased with the increase of snus use while cigarette use declined, indicating that it can be a healthier alternative.[6][11]
Snus is generally considered to be less harmful than cigarettes and, with a high nicotine content, it can help prevent withdrawal symptoms in people who are quitting smoking. This can help reduce the likelihood of returning to cigarette smoking.[4]
Do doctors recommend it as a viable option?
Although snus is less harmful than cigarette smoking, when compared to other nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), snus may cause more risks.[6][12]
Research on the health effects of snus varies and these risks can depend on the type of snus and severity of use. However, because of the potential risks, including an increased risk of cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and cancer, doctors would typically not recommend snus as a smoking cessation tool. Various other options are available to help quit smoking, with fewer risks.[4][6]
The final verdict
There are various factors to consider when deciding whether to use snus and the literature varies in evaluating these products.
Benefits of snus include:
- Smoke-free
- Helping people to quit smoking
- Fewer health risks than cigarettes
- Cheaper
Negatives of snus use include:
- Highly addictive
- Risks such as oral cancer, impaired fertility and fetal growth, and heart issues
- Available in different flavors, potentially increasing their appeal to young people
- Using snus may increase the risk of nicotine dependence which can lead to cigarette smoking
Additionally, American snus differs from Swedish snus, which means that research conducted in Sweden may not apply to US products.[4]
The verdict on snus, therefore, is uncertain. For those who wish to quit smoking, it may be helpful to learn more about other cessation products.
