Snus has become a popular topic in recent years as more people look for alternatives to smoking.
Marketed as a smokeless tobacco product, it has gained a reputation for being less harmful than cigarettes, but are they really better for your health?
In this blog, we explore what snus is, why it has gained international popularity, its side effects, and whether it can actually help people quit smoking.
Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that originated in Sweden. Unlike tobacco, which you have to chew, snus does not require spitting, making it more appropriate to use socially.
It comes in small pouches or as loose tobacco that is placed under the upper lip, where nicotine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the gums.
Snus is legal and widely used in Sweden and Norway, but banned in most other EU countries.
Over the last few years, it has gained popularity in other parts of the world and in the UK, partly due to its discreet use and the perception that it carries fewer health risks than smoking.
Research on the side effects of snus is still in its early stages, so the long-term effects are not yet fully understood.
However, there are plenty of reports and cases to show that the side effects of using snus can be incredibly harmful and not a safer alternative to smoking or vaping. [1]
Snus has become increasingly popular due to a variety of factors, including:
With smoking prohibited in most public indoor spaces, many smokers turn to snus as a way to satisfy cravings without breaking the law.
Some research suggests that snus carries a lower risk of lung cancer compared to smoking, which has boosted its reputation as a “safer” option. [2]
Snus can be used discreetly, with no smoke, smell, or need to spit, making it more socially acceptable in certain settings, including at work.
In Sweden, snus use has become part of everyday life, and its popularity has spread beyond Scandinavia through travel, sport, and social media.
Although often marketed as less harmful than cigarettes, snus is not risk-free. It still contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance, and can have a range of side effects that damage your health and wellbeing. [3]
Regular use can lead to dependence on nicotine, making it difficult to stop.
Just as you become addicted to smoking, snus acts similarly, and it will be increasingly difficult to quit.
Snus can cause gum irritation, receding gums, oral lesions and stained teeth.
Some cases of oral lesions can be described as so deep that they can even see the roots of their teeth.
Some studies suggest that long-term use may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. [4]
While snus may carry a lower risk of lung cancer than smoking, it has been linked to higher risks of pancreatic and oral cancers.
Just like cigarettes, quitting snus can lead to cravings, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
So, while snus may be less harmful than smoking, it is still a tobacco product that poses dangerous health risks.
One of the most debated questions about snus is whether or not it can actually help you to quit smoking.
Some evidence suggests that smokers in Sweden who have switched to snus have lower rates of smoking-related diseases, leading to the thought that snus could act as a harm-reduction tool.
However, health authorities are cautious. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and many other medical bodies warn that replacing one form of nicotine with another may not be a good way to get over your nicotine addiction. [5]
Instead, it can prolong dependence and expose you to ongoing health risks.
For people who want to quit smoking, clinically approved nicotine replacement therapies (such as patches, gum, or lozenges) are considered safer and more effective options.
Behavioural support and structured programmes to help you quit also provide long-term benefits without the risks associated with tobacco products like snus.
Snus is often seen as a less harmful alternative to smoking or vaping, and while it may carry fewer risks in certain aspects, such as lung cancer, it is by no means unharmful.
Its nicotine content can lead to addiction and a range of health problems, particularly affecting the mouth and heart.
If your goal is to quit smoking altogether, it’s best to explore medically recommended stop-smoking aids rather than turning to snus.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9395ywzg73o
[2] https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-020-00380-5
[3] https://www.fhi.no/en/publ/2019/health-risks-from-snus-use2/
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7825961/
