Snus is a smokeless product that is placed under the upper lip during use. It originally comes from Scandinavia and is becoming increasingly popular. Although the product is not burned during use and is therefore less harmful than cigarettes, it still contains some ingredients that can cause health problems.
We want to take a closer look at snus and reveal what risks you need to be aware of. We pay special attention to the question of whether snus causes cancer and what studies exist on this hypothesis.
Snus and cancer risk – How high is the danger?
There are now several studies on snus and cancer, but the results vary widely. Snus is most often associated with oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer, as it is a Product for oral use and comes into direct contact with the oral mucosa. The studies agree that snus, unlike cigarettes, does not cause lung cancer because the ingredients are not burned and inhaled.
So far, there are two well-known studies assessing the cancer risk of snus that have examined the effect of snus on the body. One of these is the study ‘A systematic review of cancer risk among users of smokeless tobacco (Swedish snus) exclusively, compared with no use of tobacco’ from 2023, which found a risk between snus and cancers such as oral, pancreatic, stomach, and colorectal cancer. However, this risk is assessed by the researchers as low to moderate.
The second study ‘No association between moist oral snuff (snus) use and oral cancer: pooled analysis of nine prospective observational studies’ from Sweden, however, shows that no link between snus and oral cancer could be found. Further long-term studies are needed for a clear assessment of the cancer risk of smokeless alternatives.
Which ingredients can cause cancer?
Cigarettes contain about 4800 chemical substances, more than 70 of which can cause cancer. These are called carcinogens. Among them are:
● Tar
● Chromium
● Benzene
● Polonium
● Lead
● Arsenic
● N-nitrosamines
● Aldehydes
About 28 carcinogens have been detected in smokeless products like Snus. These include, for example, N-nitrosamines, which occur both in cigarette smoke and in smokeless tobacco products. Traces of heavy metals, formaldehyde, polonium, and uranium have also been found.
It should also be mentioned that Snus is subject to food law and undergoes strict quality controls. In addition to ground tobacco, Snus also contains water, salt, and various flavorings to improve the taste.
What other health risks can be associated with Snus?
Besides cancer, Snus can also cause other health risks. Since it is placed under the upper lip and touches the gums, problems in the mouth area such as periodontitis, cavities, and tooth loss can occur. Snus users should pay special attention to good oral hygiene. Furthermore, it should be noted that Snus contains nicotine, which highly addictive can cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Some experts also believe that Snus consumption can cause damage to the cardiovascular system and possibly diabetes. When Swallowing Snus there is a risk of poisoning, so the product should always be kept out of reach of children and pets.
Snus and cancer – Further studies are needed
The exact risk of Snus and cancer has not yet been clearly determined. It is certain that smokeless products also contain carcinogenic substances that can harm health. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Snus contains fewer toxins than cigarettes and is therefore less harmful to health. It can still be considered an effective alternative to cigarettes.
However, Snus is not risk-free, as it can cause a number of other problems. In particular, the effects on oral health should be mentioned, since the product is used orally. Additionally, Snus has an addiction potential because it contains nicotine in varying amounts.
Dieses Produkt schädigt Ihre Gesundheit und macht stark abhängig.