Snus ( ; ) is a Swedish tobacco product. It is consumed by placing a pouch of powdered tobacco leaves under the lip for nicotine to be absorbed through the oral mucosa. Snus, not to be confused with nicotine pouches, consists of ground up tobacco leaves, salt, an alkalizer (e.g. sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate) and (optionally) flavorings. The final product is sold as both loose tobacco, and in portions with the tobacco mixture contained in a small teabag-like pouch.
While "snus" in English generally refers specifically to the tobacco leaf product, in Swedish nicotine pouches are popularly referred to as , literally "white snus"; snus can be referred to as , "brown snus", to distinguish it.
The manufacturing process of snus differs from that of other oral tobacco products. Snus tobacco is heated and pasteurized rather than cured or fermented, resulting in a less harmful product which contains a lower concentration of TSNA carcinogens in comparison to other traditional tobacco products. Though research on the connection between snus and disease such as cancer is not conclusive, and some studies find no associations between snus consumption and an increased risk of cancer, some do suggest a link to risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer.
The warning text "causes cancer" was removed from snus packaging in Sweden and other countries because scientific evidence indicates that the cancer risk associated with snus is significantly lower than that of smoking. The shift in labeling aims to provide accurate information while still cautioning consumers about potential health concerns.
Nicotine products in general have been linked to reproductive harms such as stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight. Conversely, non-tobacco-based nicotine pouches (also known as "nic pouches") are classified as non-carcinogenic since nicotine itself is not a carcinogen. However, they are still harmful to cardiovascular health due to their nicotine content, and are associated with moderately higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and reproductive harms. The main causes for mortality from smoking including cardiovascular disease from the effects of smoke on vascular coagulation and blood vessel walls are not caused primarily by nicotine and hence not to be considered equal to the moderate cardiovascular health risks from nicotine pouches. The sale of tobacco-based snus is illegal in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand and all European Union (EU) countries except for Sweden. Non-tobacco nicotine pouches are presently not regulated at EU-level and are the most common type of tobacco product in Sweden and are also available in Switzerland. Some European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Estonia, allow the sale of non-tobacco-based snus. Snus is also available in the United States.
Overview
Snus is made from air-dried/pasteurized tobaccos from various parts of the world. In earlier times, tobacco for making snus was laid out for drying in Scania and Mälardalen, Sweden. Later, Kentucky tobaccos were used. The ground tobacco is mixed with water, salt, an alkalizing agent such as sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate (E500), and aroma, and is prepared through heating under pressure. After the heating process, food grade aromas are typically added. In Sweden, tobacco for oral use, snus is regulated, and was assumed under the Swedish Food Act in 1971.
For this reason, all ingredients are listed on the label of each individual package (can) of snus. Moist snus contains more than 50% water, and the average use of snus in Sweden is approximately 800 grams (16 units) per person each year. In 2024, 22% of men and 10% of women aged 16-84 in Sweden reported daily snus use.About 12% (1.1 million people) of the population in Sweden use snus. Unlike dipping tobacco and chew, most snus does not undergo the fermentation process, but is instead steam-pasteurized. Pasteurization inhibits the growth of bacteria that facilitate the formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, while preserving the desired texture and mouthfeel of the snus. The absorption of nicotine, the desired primary alkaloid in tobacco, greatly depends on the nicotine content in the snus and the pH of the final product.Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks, SCENIHR. Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Products. 2008:78-79
Snus is sold in containers of various sizes, originally made of porcelain, wood, silver, or gold. Portioned snus usually comes in plastic tins of 20 to 24 portions, containing about 0.75 to 1 gram of snus each, while loose snus is mostly sold in wax coated cardboard containers with plastic lids (similar to dip snuff), at 42 g (50 g before 2008). Mini-portion and medium-portion snus are increasingly popular formats. Most of these products come in tins containing 20 portions, of either 0.65 or 0.5 grams each for a total of just under 13 or 10 grams, particularly with those for whom concealing their use of smokeless tobacco in places is of utmost importance.
Snus is available in two main types: Loose snus () is a moist powder that can be shaped into a cylindrical or spherical form using the fingertips or a specialized cylindrical device. This final product is commonly known as a (), , , or (slang). Some individuals, particularly long-time users, opt to simply pinch the tobacco and place it under their upper lip (known as a farmer's pinch or living snus). Swedish consumption research has analyzed loose and pouched snus separately, since portion size and grams consumed per day can differ by product form. However, the popularity of loose snus has gradually been overtaken by portioned alternatives. Portion snus () is a convenient and discreet form of snus that comes in small teabag-like sachets filled with moist powder. It is available in smaller quantities compared to loose powder snus. There are two varieties of portion snus: Original portion: This traditional form was introduced in 1973. The sachet material is moisturized during manufacturing, resulting in a brown, moist pouch. White portion: This form has a milder taste and slightly slower release. The sachet material is not moisturized during manufacturing, resulting in a white, dry pouch. The tobacco within the portion material has the same moisture content as original portion snus, but the nicotine and flavor are delivered somewhat slower due to the drier sachet. Notably, "white portion" refers to the style, not the color. Some white portion snus use a black material instead of white, yet are still considered "white portion". Examples of such snus include General Onyx, Grovsnus Svart (Black), and Blue Ocean (Blue). The Stingfree portion is a patented pouch for snus and modern oral nicotine pouches, approved in the US and Europe. It features a protective side that effectively reduces the burning sensation and irritation on the user's gum and oral mucosa.
Portioned snus comes in three sizes: mini, normal/large, and maxi. The weights vary, but most packages disclose the net weight. Mini portions weigh around 0.5 g, normal portions weigh 0.8 to 1 g, and maxi portions weigh up to 1.7 g. Some brands offer regular and long versions of the normal size sachet.
The nicotine content varies among brands, with the most common strength being 8 mg per gram of tobacco. Stark (Swedish for "strong") and extra stark varieties have higher nicotine content, with stark varieties containing 11–14 mg and extra stark varieties containing up to 22 mg. Siberia brand has an "Extremely Strong" snus with 43 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco, the highest available.
Legal status
European Union EU law classifies snus as "tobacco for oral use", under Directive 2014/4-/EU, covering oral tobacco products in powder or particulate form, including sachet portions or porous sachets, but excluding products intended to be inhaled or chewed. The sale of snus is prohibited in all European Union member states except Sweden. Under the European Union Tobacco Products Directive, "tobacco for oral use" may not be placed on the market within the EU; Sweden is exempt from the prohibition under the terms of its accession to the European Union.
In its 2021 report on the application of the Tobacco Products Directive, the European Commission stated that the ban had been circumvented in some cases by snus-like products being presented as chewing tobacco.
International tobacco-control guidance generally treats smokeless tobacco products as part of a broader tobacco-control regulation, including measures relating to packaging, health warnings, advertising, taxation, and youth access. The World Health Organization's (WHO) 2025 position on tobacco control and harm reduction identified smokeless tobacco products, nicotine pouches, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products as products for which minimum regulatory measures are needed to protect public health.
Sweden In Sweden, tobacco for oral use, snus, and chewing tobacco are regulated under the Act on Tobacco and Similar Products as well as within the framework of food legislation. Packaging information for smokeless tobacco products sold directly to consumers in Sweden must be provided in Swedish and be clearly legible. During the reporting period, the snus ban was clearly circumvented as, outside of Sweden, many snus-like products were presented as chewing tobacco to gain a legal status. Legal loopholes related to chewing bags and emerging nicotine pouches became apparent.
Swedish voluntary standards In the 1990s, a voluntary quality standard for snus products was introduced (Gothiatek) that set maximum levels for certain controversial constituents including nitrosamines, heavy metals, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The GothiaTek standard was developed for selected constituents in Swedish snus and has since been accepted by the European Smokeless Tobacco Council (ESTOC) trade organization as an industrial standard.
United States In the United States, certain General Snus products have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) modified-risk tobacco product authorizations permitting specified reduced-risk claims relative to cigarette smoking. In November 2024, the FDA renewed modified-risk tobacco product orders for several General Snus products.
Other countries In New Zealand, oral nicotine products may not be imported for retail sale or distribution unless approved as a medicine or psychoactive substance. New Zealand regulations contain package-message and prohibited-feature requirements for smokeless tobacco products.
In Switzerland, the Tobacco Products Act and Tobacco Products Ordinance entered into force on 1 October 2024 and regulate tobacco products and other nicotine products, including non-combustible products.
Norway's tobacco-control strategy covers both tobacco and nicotine products and includes objectives aimed at reducing daily snus use and preventing tobacco- and nicotine-product use among younger age groups.
Usage Snus is typically used by being placed under the upper lip. This is true for both loose snus and portion snus. The pris (pressed pellet of loose snus) or pouch is typically left in place for anywhere between 30 and 120 minutes. No spitting is required, but some (especially new users) may prefer to.
Snus is not cured, so it can spoil much faster than cured tobacco. While tobacco-based snus is typically refrigerated for short term storage (up to a few months), it is typically frozen for longer term storage of a year or more. It can stay unrefrigerated for a week or more without spoilage. Some tobacco-based snus products are shipped very dry, so they have extended shelf life without needing any refrigeration. This makes them slower to initially "drip", as there is no appreciable moisture in the packet.
Differences with other oral tobacco products