What is Snus and How to Use It – A Comprehensive Guide
Snus is a discreet, moist smokeless tobacco product, manufactured to be placed between the gum and upper lip. It developed in Sweden. It’s offered in a variety of flavors, in small pre-portioned pouches or loose form, delivering a discreet and convenient alternative to combustible tobacco.
To use it, you put the pouch or loose tobacco between your gums and lip and enjoy the flavors as they slowly release. As a tobacco product that doesn’t require users to spit, snus is a cleaner, neater alternative that fits users’ desires for ease and discretion.
Snus (/snuːs/, SNOOSS; Swedish: [ˈsnʉːs]) is a smokeless and moist oral tobacco product that originated in Sweden. Unlike American chewing tobacco, snus is milder and gives a more civilized experience to its user. It’s most often marketed in small, teabag-shaped pouches similar to snus that are filled with moist powder and tucked into the same spot under your upper lip.
This design makes it convenient and discreet since it doesn’t require spitting. Snus has huge popularity in Sweden and Norway. In fact, that’s the current rate of Swedes using it – approximately 12% of Sweden’s population or around 1.1 million people.
Snus Definition and Origins
Snus has a long and rich history as a common cultural practice in Sweden. It started as a technique to cure tobacco by heating and pasteurizing it. This unusual manufacturing process is part of what helps snus to differ greatly from other smokeless tobaccos.
Unlike chewing tobacco—which usually is fermented or cured—snus receives a different treatment process. Contrary to these much more severe options, snus is created for clean, discreet use thanks to its location underneath the upper lip. In recent years its popularity has exploded outside of Sweden. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among individuals looking for a less visible tobacco product alternative.
Unique Manufacturing Process
Snus is produced by heating and pasteurizing the tobacco. This unique process greatly reduces the harmful chemicals found in other tobacco products. This rigorous process is what gives snus its remarkable safety profile—with no tobacco carcinogens—and allows for the natural flavor of tobacco to be maintained.
High-quality control standards are adhered to during the manufacturing process, allowing for a consistently high-quality product each time. Only the highest quality, premium-grade tobacco leaves are used, giving snus its rich, robust and flavorful character while maintaining its remarkably smooth quality.
Snus vs. Other Tobacco Products
In stark contrast to chewing tobacco and cigarettes, which are both spit tobacco and combustibles and highly addictive. By leaving out combustion, it takes away the dangerous exposure to smoke, while providing nicotine in a cleaner, gentler manner.
As a result, most people view it as an alternative to smoking that is less dangerous.
How to Use Snus Correctly
Using snus correctly depends on both care with the product and individual taste. Whether you’re just starting out with snus or you’ve been using it for years, knowing how to use it properly will improve your experience. Here, we take you step by step to make sure you’re using snus in a safe and sensible manner.
Choose Your Snus Type
The first step is picking the best kind of snus. You’ll find two main varieties:
- Loose snus: Offers flexibility in portion size and requires practice to pack.
- Pouch snus: Pre-portioned and easier to handle, making it a convenient choice.
When selecting, keep in mind aspects such as taste, intensity, and nicotine content. Choose from a range of flavors, including cool mint and juicy berry. The nicotine content varies greatly, anywhere from 2 mg up to 20 mg of nicotine per pouch.
If you’re just starting out, it’s better to go with a lower strength. It may take some experimenting, so try different kinds and find out what you like best.
Placing Snus Properly
Put the snus between your upper lip and gums, where it feels natural. Correct placement maximizes nicotine absorption and flavor.
Don’t use your tongue to position snus, as this action can cause you to swallow snus, resulting in possible nausea. Make small adjustments to the position as necessary if it seems to irritate you after a while.
Duration of Snus Use
If you’re a new user, try holding a pouch in for 10-15 minutes to get used to the tingling feeling you’ll experience. Most users hold snus in place for 30-60 minutes.
Take out the pouch when the flavor starts to fade or before you start feeling uncomfortable.
Dispose of Snus Responsibly
Used snus should never be littered and should always be disposed of in a trash can. Improper disposal harms the environment, so carrying a small container for used pouches can help maintain cleanliness in public spaces.
