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Snus Facts

A FAQ on snus, written by Professor Gerry Stimson, Chair of the New Nicotine Alliance.  


Is snus an appropriate and acceptable harm reduction product?
Snus fulfils the criteria for a tobacco harm reduction product. It is a low risk way of using nicotine and delivers acceptable doses to those who use it. In countries in which it is allowed it is popular and has contributed to declines in smoking and smoking related diseases.

What is snus?
Snus is a moist, smokeless powdered tobacco. It is sold as a loose powder or pre-packaged in a small sachet (a bit like a mini tea bag). It contains ground tobacco, salt and may contain food-grade smoke aroma flavourings, such as citrus, bergamot, juniper, herb or floral flavours. Most Scandinavian snus is produced in Sweden where it is regulated as food under the Swedish Food Act. The nicotine content varies among brands.

How does snus differ from other oral tobaccos?
Snus is a smokeless tobacco. Unlike some other smokeless tobacco types, Swedish snus is not fermented and is pasteurised, which inhibits the growth of bacteria that help the formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (an important group of carcinogens in tobacco products). Snus is refrigerated in order to inhibit the growth of toxins.

How is snus used?
Snus is placed between the upper lip and gum. The nicotine is released into the saliva, with the rate of release affected by the amount of saliva. New users experiment (titrate) to find the best rate of nicotine release. www.wikihow.com/Use-Snus

Is there a quality standard for snus?
The Gothiatek standard, a voluntary quality standard for snus products, has been introduced. This has maximum levels for constituents, including nitrosamines, metals, nitrite, agrochemicals, mycotoxins and aldehydes.

Is snus safe and are there any long-term health effects?
Recent reviews suggest that snus is considered by scientists as 95%, and possibly closer to 99%, less risky than smoking.

Read more at:  nnalliance.org/blog/162-snus-facts

Vapers Digest 20th January
Friday’s News at a glance:
It’s not taxing – NNA goes to the High Court – Battery explosions hit the headlines – The only thing to Fear, is Fear Itself – Clearing the air around e-cigarettes – Clearing the Air – National Park Service Withdraws E-Cigarette Rule – Nicotine Science and Policy Daily Digest – Friday, 20 January 2017

Vapers Digest 19th January
Thursday’s News at a glance:
It’s been great, mech mods, but it’s time to say goodbye – Health debates must include consumers – VAEP Fundraiser – Health Guidance in an Age of Low Public Trust – Nurses Get Into the Act – GFN 2017 Programme – New Vape Tax in Budget Request – Clearing the air around e-cigarettes – New e-cig laws will make me a criminal – Nicotine Science and Policy Daily Digest – Thursday, 19 January 2017

Vaper's Digest 17th Jan

Tuesday’s News at a glance:

State, city should be friendlier for e-cigarettes – E-Cig Alarmists Are Ignoring How Helpful The Devices Are To Quit Smoking – Blu hosts cigarette amnesty pop-up – I fear the release of HNB products on the market – The War on E-Cigarettes – Waiting for Tobacco Control to REALLY Prove that It Has Engaged in Junk Science for Decades – By 2020, everything will be known about vaping – I hope the WHO adopt another position on new vaporization technologies – Are e-cigarettes a miracle or a menace? A doctor investigates – PA vape distributor sues the state over killer 40% tax – New vape laws send customers underground – A Big Shift Towards The Idea Of Harm Reduction – NSP Daily Digest

Vapers Digest 13th January

Friday’s News at a glance:

That time of year – Brand Loyalty in Teens – Hope? Hope? What the hell it that? – Exposure to Nicotine and Selected Toxicants – US politicians continue to disappoint – E-Cigarettes May Cause Kids to Break into Homes – Scientists unsatisfied with smokers’ positive view of vaping – Vaping 95% safer than Smoking – FDA Finalizes Tobacco Product Intended Use Rules – Tennessee Department of Health snuffs out e-cigs – Nicotine Science and Policy Daily Digest – Friday, 13 January 2017

Vapers' Digest 11th January

Wednesday’s News at a glance:

Value of ‘heat not burn’ smoking technology stalling BAT buyout – Oliver Kershaw: If the truth can be found anywhere, it can be found everywhere – Governments Are Banning A Product That Could Save Millions Of Lives – Pennsylvania’s Vape Tax ~ Chris Hughes Interview – Stefan Didak: The FDA dropping its deeming regulations has caused a full stop on continued innovation –The more things change, the more they stay the same -FDA Says Explaining the Main Advantages of E-Cigarettes Would Confuse Consumers – Ecigs Don’t Fill Casualty Departments -NSP Daily Digest