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What is Swedish Snus - Everything You Need To Know About Snus
Erik Rosengren - Snusexpert
30 August, 2022
9 min

What is Swedish Snus - Everything You Need To Know About Snus

Swedish snus is a smokeless tobacco product that comes in loose form or portion packets. The products are made by grinding tobacco leaves, refining them, and mixing them with different ingredients like filler, arabic gum, and flavorings. Swedish snus is known particularly for its high-quality products and outstanding flavor. 

Snus was first created by the Swedish Match Company over 200 years ago and is still manufactured today. It's made from air-dried and cured tobacco (which contains no sugar). The tobacco is then ground into a paste and mixed with water. Afterward, it is divided into portions or tins for snus users worldwide.

 

Rising popularity of snus

How is Swedish Snus Made?

Swedish Snus is made with handpicked tobacco. The tobacco is cleaned and refined, after which it is washed and air-dried. The ensuing production method varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, the general method includes pasteurization of the tobacco.

The air dried tobacco is put in giant blenders with salt and water, while the mixture is being heated. The resulting mixture is then cooled and other ingredients like flavors and gum are added. The batch is tested for quality through random sampling, and the mixture is stored into small packages.

Finally, each portion is packed into cans of 16 or 20, depending on the product and the brand. Swedish snus is popular for its unique pasteurization method that has maintained its integrity since the 1800s. 

What Are The Ingredients of Swedish Snus?

Here are the main ingredients of Swedish snus:

  • Hand-picked tobacco
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Flavors
  • Humectant
  • Filler

The only difference between Swedish snus and other snus is the quality of the tobacco and its production method. 

Formats of Swedish Snus

Swedish snus comes in two main formats:

  • Loose Snus: This is a snus paste that comes packaged in metal cans. The user uses their hands to form a pellet from the clay like mixture and put it under your lip. It's messy but offers a strong, unfiltered taste of tobacco, like chewing tobacco.
  • Packaged Snus: This is slightly moist snuff that comes packaged in different portions or pouches. Each portion contains a fixed amount of tobacco that you put under your lip. These pouches are less messy and offer different varieties of flavors. 

Most people today use the packaged portions because they are more convenient. Some people have started switching to nicotine pouches because of their convenience and effects of tobacco harm reduction.

What Makes Snus Products Popular?

In the U.S., the use of snus has increased because it's a great alternative to cigarettes. . Thousands of Swedes have given up smoking by switching to snus.  According to global studies on tobacco-related mortality, more than 8 million people die prematurely from smoking.

One study published in the Harm Reduction Journal of the NCBI concluded that snus is safer than cigarettes. Compared to cigarettes, smokeless forms of tobacco like snus are much healthier alternatives. These products are easy to use, with no risk of fire or passive smoking. The nicotine content in these products is potent enough to help tobacco users quit smoking.

According to the same study, 45.8% of smokers who used snus for smoking cessation successfully quit their addiction. These products are easy to use, with no risk of fire or passive smoking. Only 26.8% of non-tobacco users quit smoking by using other nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, like nicotine gum. Most of the NRT users were women.

Speaking from personal experience, once you pop these things in, you won't crave a cigarette for hours if you're a casual smoker. Plus, the kicks of clarity are enough to make you feel like Aristotle on caffeine. Who knows, you might even unravel the secrets of life!


Why you should use nicotine pouches

Why Use Snus Products?

Swedish Snus is a leading harm reduction tool employed by smokers to avoid the risks associated with smoking tobacco. Apart from this, snus has a rich tobacco flavor that makes each pouch a gift for smokeless tobacco users. Let's look at some other effects of snus and its advantages in detail:

Less Harmful

Compared to chewing or dipping tobacco, Swedish snus does not have an increased risk of oral cancer. Yes, these pouches have tobacco and naturally have adverse health consequences, but compared to cigarettes and other options, these risks are minimal.

Easier to Use

Swedish snus is also more versatile. Tobacco and nicotine dependence is a pain in the --- because you keep craving a cigarette in the worst possible places. You'll be sitting across a table, and suddenly, you'll want a cigarette. You can't smoke on a family table now, can you? In the same way, moist smokeless tobacco products make you spit a lot. You can't spit in front of someone else!

With modern snus products, you won't have to worry about any limitations. You can pop it in on the dinner table, while driving, or in a casual setting. Snus doesn't require spitting or inhaling smoke like other tobacco products—the ingredients go straight into your mouth and dissolve quickly without having any side effects on your lungs!

In addition to having fewer adverse health effects than cigarettes (FYI, cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of lung, oral and pancreatic cancer), research suggests that snus may have some positive health benefits. Mainly when used by smokers trying to quit smoking altogether.

Here is the shorter version of why you should use snus:

  1. You can use it anywhere.
  2. It has reduced health risks.
  3. You may reduce your cigarette consumption quickly.
  4. You won't have to worry about the stench of cigarettes.
  5. Spit-free and easy to use.

Misconceptions About Snus

While we're on the topic of using snus and not using it, we might as well address some misconceptions. 


Misconceptions about snus and nicotine pocuehs

Snus Is the Perfect Smoking Alternative (False)

Some people glorify snus as a cure-all for tobacco smoking, which is not true. Snus, although safer than cigarettes, still contains tobacco, which means you aren't that far from the root of the problem. You have to be careful about using snus to avoid relapsing and regaining your cigarette addiction.

Snus Does Not Have Health Risks (False)

Every form of smokeless tobacco has some underlying risks or consequences. Tobacco is known to cause various cardiovascular diseases, although heated tobacco causes it more readily. Snus is more filtered, which makes it slightly better than cigarettes, hookahs, and other heated forms of tobacco.

Snus does have a reduced risk of pancreatic/oral cancer and almost negligible chances of lung cancer. However, it is still a fact that the effects of smokeless tobacco include cardiovascular and pancreatic concerns. 

Everyone Can Use Snus (False)

We can't stress this enough; snus is not for everyone. If you're battling with smoking, then you can use snus to kick your habits. If you've experienced smoking or other forms of tobacco, then you can use snus.

However, if you have never touched a cigarette and smokeless tobacco, please stay away from snus. If you want something to use instead, try VELO Zero, a new pouch with no nicotine that still does the trick. 

Swedish VS American Snus

The Swedish VS American Snus debate has been raging for a few years, but to be very honest, it's not much of a debate. Let's first understand the difference between Swedish and American snus:

Swedish Snus

  • It usually comes in pouches or loose formats.
  • The prominent flavor in these products is reminiscent of tobacco.
  • The levels of nicotine in these products are off the charts.
  • Some of their products use moist tobacco, while others are dry.
  • It is banned in some parts of the EU because of Tobacco Control laws.

American Snus

  • It is a mellower version of traditional Swedish snuff or snus.
  • These products use tobacco sparingly.
  • The nicotine content in these products is moderate at best.
  • They are dry and typically more washed.
  • American snus is more about other flavors than the pure tobacco flavor.

Briefly, Swedish smokeless tobacco products are more about strength and tradition, while American snus is more about modern flavors. 

 

swedish vs american snus

How to Use Swedish Snus?

All forms of Swedish snus are oral, although the way you use them can vary. Here's how you use the packaged portions of Swedish snus:

  • Order your favorite Swedish Snus online from Snusdaddy.
  • Receive your products and remove their seal.
  • Take a portion out of the can.
  • Place it between your upper lip and gums.
  • Enjoy the flavor and nicotine.
  • Remove the pouch after 30 to 40 minutes.

You only need to put the snus between your upper lip and gums for the effects of nicotine to kick in. Loose snus is a bit different, so here's a detailed guide on how to use it:

  • Order your Loose Snus portions from Snusdaddy.
  • Remove the seal from the cans.
  • Take out a small amount using your thumb and index finger. 
  • Place the snus in your palm.
  • Use your thumb and index fingers to shape it into a pellet.
  • Place the pellet under your upper lip.
  • Press your lip to shape the pellet according to your gum
  • Enjoy the flavor and nicotine release.
  • Take the pellet out after 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Dispose of the used pellet accordingly.

Remember to wash your hands before using loose snus. Also, remember that loose snus use is a bit messy, so expect some drip when you're taking out the used pellet.

Best Snus Brands 

Every guide would be incomplete without recommendations. So, here are some of the leading snus brands that you can and should try:

  1. General Snus
  2. Siberia Snus
  3. Nick & Johnny
  4. Kronan Snus

1. General Snus

Originally, this snus was developed by Johan A. Boman in the 18th century. As mentioned earlier, Swedish snus is made from cured tobacco leaves pressed into a paste. The paste is then shaped into small pellets called prillor (singular: prilla), which are placed inside a pouch made of dried leaves or paper.

General snus holds true to the original creation method. Their products are slightly moist and runny, with a dark color. If you want to experience the classic flavors of snus, then General is your go-to brand. The nicotine strength of their products can go as high as 40 mg/g.

2. Siberia Snus

Snus in Sweden has evolved over the centuries, and a testament to this evolution is Siberia. This brand has managed to take the traditional snus flavor and combine it with the passionate (Borderline intense) modern mint, peppermint, and citrus flavors.

Like General Snus, Siberia offers some of the most potent products on the market. Siberia Snus is a subsidiary of GN Tobacco, a leading producer of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.

3. Nick & Johnny Snus

Nick & Johnny is a marriage between tradition and new-age modernism. It's like a mix of Siberia Snus and General Snus, but with a more creative approach. The brand was launched in Norway, where it quickly gained recognition for a unique array of mint flavors and strong nicotine concentration.

Nick & Johnny Snus strengths vary between 10 and 18 mg of nicotine per pouch. Some of the most popular flavors include Green Ice, Red Hot, and Crushed Ice. It's a must-try pouch for people who prefer smokeless tobacco use, without distorted flavors. 

4. Kronan Snus

While all the other snus manufacturers are experimenting with new flavors and methods, Kronan is doing the opposite. Kronan's motto is “Every day; we stray further from God,” which is why they've decided to stick to the good old flavors and portions.

All Kronan products are known for their traditional flavors. Users of snus, who crave something classic, should try Kronan at least once. This brand is also a subsidiary of Swedish Match.

 

The best snus brands

Best Snus Products

Here are some of the best snus products from popular brands:

  • Lab 02 Slim Strong
  • Skruf No.29 Extra Strong
  • General Original Portion
  • Siberia -80 Black Portion
  • Jakobsson's Strong Wintergreen

Swedish Snus Summary in 1 Minute

Now that we have extolled the praises of the ever glorious snus, it's time to bestow upon our nico family a gift. Since Snusdaddy is dedicated to erasing cigarettes and to healthier lungs, we have decided to make your snus journey as easy as possible. You can order bulk from Snusdaddy right now and get spectacular deals/discounts.

Not only that, but Snusdaddy also guarantees quick and timely delivery of all orders. Most of the Snusdaddy orders are dispatched within 24 hours. Usually, our snus family receives their orders in 3 to 4 working days. What are you waiting for? Get your snus cans from Snusdaddy today.

That's all for now,

Take care, snus-fam,

Snusdaddy.