With the oral tobacco product snus, a distinction is made between the nicotine content and the perceived strength, because this depends on several factors. In the past, snus cans clearly indicated how much nicotine they contain. However, after a change in the law, this is no longer the case and manufacturers are obliged to indicate the strength, but not the exact nicotine content on the packaging.
In our article we want to answer the most important questions about snus nicotine strength and at the same time introduce a few products and their nicotine content.
How are the snus varieties classified?
On the cans of snus products, whether it is loose snus or snus packed in pouches, you will first find only the description 'normal, strong, very strong and extremely strong'. According to this description, snus is classified as follows:
- 0 to 9 mg/g nicotine = regular Snus
- 10 to 20 mg/g nicotine = strong Snus
- 20 to 30 mg/g nicotine = very strong Snus
- More than 30 mg/g nicotine = extrem strong Snus
In addition, there are also varieties such as edelsnus CBD Mint, which are completely free of nicotine. These are not only suitable for smokers who plan to quit smoking. If you are interested in the exact snus nicotine content of a variety, you can look this up on the product page under properties. On our website, the content is always given in mg of nicotine per gram of content.
How does the nicotine get into snus?
The tobacco plant contains nicotine as an ingredient and thus all products with tobacco also contain nicotine. The nicotine content of the plant varies depending on the variety, in commercial varieties it is about 0.5 to 3%, in others the plant may contain more than 8% nicotine. Furthermore, not only the variety plays a role, but also the weather conditions, fertilization and plant density.
For the production of snus, the tobacco is ground and mixed with water, salt and flavors. Then it is packed loosely in tins or in pouches made of cellulose. When used, the pouch is placed under the upper lip and the nicotine takes effect through the mucous membranes of the mouth.
All White Snus products contain nicotine, but they are completely free of tobacco. During production, the nicotine is extracted from the tobacco plant and then added to the product either in liquid form or in the form of nicotine salt. This has the advantage that the snus does not run when consumed and does not discolor the teeth. For example, the All White product VELO Mighty Peppermint AW has a nicotine content of 15.5 mg/g.
Snus nicotine vs cigarettes
You will often hear that snus has a higher nicotine content than cigarettes. However, this can not be answered so sweepingly. The snus nicotine content varies depending on the variety and can even be free of nicotine. A cigarette contains 12 mg of nicotine and 1 to 3 mg of it is absorbed when smoking.
In strong snus varieties, the nicotine content is over 30 mg/g, but even here not all of the nicotine is absorbed by the body. The proportion that enters the body is about 10 to 20%.
Snus nicotine content vs perceived strength
The actual strength of snus depends not only on the nicotine, but also on the moisture, pH and taste. Moist snus runs more and reaches the brain faster. However, the effect does not last as long as dry snus. Furthermore, flavors like mint can increase the perceived strength and provide an extra freshness kick. The pH value indicates how much nicotine can be absorbed by the body. The higher the value, the more is absorbed.
What are the strongest snus varieties?
Siberia is one of the strongest snus varieties. Siberia Red -80 Degrees, for example, has a nicotine content of 43 mg/g. This variety is only suitable for experienced snusers and should not be tried by beginners.