Understanding Snus: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever wondered if using snus instead of smoking cigarettes would be a healthier choice?

Snus, pronounced “snoose” (rhymes with “loose”), is a moist, smokeless tobacco product from Sweden. It comes in small pouches that you place under your upper lip and is available in various flavors like mint and wintergreen. Unlike cigarettes, snus doesn’t require burning, and there’s no need to spit while using it.

“Compared to cigarette smoking, the use of snus is probably less harmful,” explains Dr. Michael Steinberg, director of the tobacco dependence program at Rutgers University. However, he cautions that “less harmful” does not mean safe.

Eric Garrison, assistant director of health promotion at the College of William & Mary, adds, “I’d rather have a person use no tobacco products at all, but of the available options, snus is on the lower end of the harm scale.”

While snus appears to be less dangerous than cigarettes, it’s not without risks. Erika Sward, assistant vice president of national advocacy for the American Lung Association, emphasizes, “It’s difficult to say that something is as toxic for you as smoking a cigarette unless you’re talking about ingesting cyanide or rat poison.”

Snus: A Safer Alternative?

Manufacturers of snus have requested the FDA’s approval to label their product as safer than cigarettes. Currently, Swedish snus cans bear the warning, “This tobacco product damages your health and is addictive.”

The Experience with Snus

Originating as a method to preserve tobacco, snus is credited with contributing to the country’s reduced smoking rates. Over half of Swedish snus users are former smokers.

“They’ve reduced their chances of cancer,” says Garrison. “While not entirely risk-free, they’ve significantly lowered their risk by switching to snus.” The rationale is that without snus, many of these individuals might still be smoking.

Snus’s Impact

Snus has similarly helped reduce smoking rates. People have used it either to quit cigarettes or as an alternative when quitting wasn’t successful. Additionally, some Norwegian youth have opted for snus instead of starting with cigarettes.

About American-Made Snus 

However, this isn’t the case in the U.S.

American-made snus differs significantly. Unlike Sweden, which regulates the levels of certain chemicals in snus, including tobacco-specific nitrosamines, the U.S. lacks such regulations. “Some tobacco companies in the U.S. label their products as snus, but they are not equivalent to Swedish snus,” says Sward. “These nitrosamines are carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancer.”

Additionally, snus has not replaced cigarettes in the U.S. The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use has remained relatively constant over the past few decades. Snus has not changed this trend.

Understanding the Risks

Snus contains nicotine, making it addictive, and quitting can lead to withdrawal symptoms similar to those experienced when stopping smoking, such as headaches and nausea.

While smokeless tobacco products generally deliver higher levels of nicotine and nitrosamines compared to cigarettes, snus tends to have lower nitrosamine levels than other smokeless products.

Health Risks Associated with Snus

Though the overall incidence of pancreatic cancer in snus users is relatively low, the rates are higher compared to non-users, although not all studies confirm this association. Snus use is also linked to an increased risk of heart failure and a higher mortality rate if usage continues post-diagnosis, along with a heightened likelihood of developing diabetes. In general, smokeless tobacco users have a greater propensity for cancers of the cheeks and gums. It’s important to note that these studies indicate a correlation rather than a direct causation between snus and these health issues.

Can Snus Help You Quit Smoking?

According to Sward, a significant issue with snus is that it often prevents individuals from quitting smoking entirely. Instead of stopping, smokers may use snus in situations where they cannot smoke and revert to cigarettes when they can.

Advocates of snus argue that it could be beneficial to promote snus as a smoking cessation aid. However, at least one study suggests this strategy is unlikely to be effective.

Steinberg describes snus as occupying a middle ground on the spectrum of tobacco products. The most harmful are those that are burned, while the least harmful are medicinal nicotine products like patches and gum. Snus is safer than cigarettes but not as safe as nicotine gum.

“Snus products still contain thousands of chemicals,” says Steinberg. “They still contain nicotine, are addictive, affect the cardiovascular system, and increase the risk of cancer. They remain tobacco products.”