What is Snus? The smoke-free alternative | Snushus

In Scandinavia, especially in Norway and Sweden, Snus already has a very long tradition. Meanwhile, the product is becoming increasingly popular and appreciated in other EU countries as a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes. So what exactly is Snus and what does it contain?

Snus refers to an oral tobacco product, with the first recipes for Snus dating back to the 18th century. The oldest Snus brand is Ettan Snus, founded in Sweden in 1822. Snus can be purchased either loose or in pouches. When used, Snus is placed under the upper lip, and the nicotine contained in Snus is released through saliva.

What is in Snus?

Snus comes with varying levels of nicotine and in many different flavors. Basically, it consists of tobacco, water, salt, and flavorings. The production of Snus begins with sowing tobacco seeds, which are harvested when sufficiently mature and then dried.

Since tobacco naturally contains nicotine, it is naturally present in Snus as well. However, the nicotine content varies; products like Siberia Red -80 Degrees WDP have a particularly high content of 43 mg/g, while other products like Oden’s Cold Extreme contain 22 mg/g of nicotine.

The dried leaves are sent to factories where the shredding process begins. Salt and water are then added in the mixer. Salt not only improves the taste but also helps preserve Snus. Afterwards, the tobacco is heated to make Snus more durable. After cooling, other ingredients such as flavorings are added.

Finally, Snus is packaged in portion pouches or filled loose into cans. The pouches are made from cellulose fibers and are therefore biodegradable. After filling, the product matures in a cooling room before leaving the factory.

Snus Effects

One of the main components of Snus is tobacco, which contains nicotine. When consuming Snus, nicotine is absorbed through saliva and enters our bloodstream and eventually the brain. Various physiological reactions are triggered there. If you want to know more about how Snus exactly affects the body, you can find all the important details summarized on our blog.

The substance dopamine in our body is responsible for making us feel more relaxed and suppressing negative feelings such as insecurity, stress, and nervousness. At the same time, the body is stimulated to release more adrenaline, so our pulse and blood pressure increase. For this reason, Snus is often used by athletes who want to reduce their nervousness while also needing an energy boost.

What is more harmful: Snus or cigarettes?

When consuming Snus, no combustion process occurs, so the other harmful substances that usually arise from smoking are absent. Snus is therefore considered less harmful to health. At the same time, the risk of passive smoking is eliminated because no smoke is produced when using Snus, and the environment is less burdened.

Snus is especially suitable for people who want to quit smoking. The nicotine content can be gradually reduced with Snus, and there is less risk of having to deal with withdrawal symptoms. Snus products are even available completely nicotine-free, such as edel CBD Mint.

How is Snus used?

When using Snus, the portion pouch or loose Snus is placed under the upper lip. How long you keep the Snus under your upper lip depends on your preferences. The pouches dissolve completely in the mouth and do not need to be spat out. The nicotine is released gradually and unfolds its effect.

Snus Side Effects

Snus should be enjoyed in moderation like any other tobacco product. People who have used too much Snus or are using it for the first time may experience symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headaches, or vomiting.

Snus and gums: Long-term use of Snus can negatively affect the gums if oral hygiene is poor. In the worst case, the gums recede and gum pockets form, allowing bacteria to penetrate more easily. So make sure to maintain good oral hygiene before and after using Snus.