What Is Snus?

Heysnus is an oral tobacco product that has been popular in Scandinavia for more than 400 years. The product consists of moist tobacco powder that can be used in two ways: loose or portioned. Loose snus is inserted under the upper lip and can be kept there for anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes. The pouches are referred to as pris (pinch), buga or prilla. Some snus users opt for a more rustic method of using their snus, spitting out the tobacco in the process. However, this is not the preferred method for new users, who are more likely to choose a pre-portioned alternative.

Scientific data from long-term population studies indicate that snus is considerably less harmful to health than cigarette smoking. The risk for respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer (oral, pharyngeal, pancreatic) is significantly lower in snus users compared to cigarette smokers.

Unraveling the Mystique of Snus: A Beginner’s Guide

It is also known that snus has positive effects on the oral microbiota, which in turn reduces inflammation and promotes healing. Moreover, snus can help people quit smoking. In a Swedish study, snus was found to be the strongest independent correlate of smoking cessation among regular snus users. The researchers reported that more than eight out of ten smokers who started using snus eventually quit daily cigarette smoking.

Several epidemiological studies have also shown that regular snus use is associated with reduced risk of myocardial infarction. [34,35,36] Other studies have reported that snus may be associated with a decreased risk of vascular events such as stroke and peripheral artery disease.