Welcome to the Snus Blog: Snus 101: An introduction to Snus

Types of Snus

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Hello and welcome to the Snus Blog. As a relatively new Snus user(=snuser), I noticed the relative lack of snus blogging on the web and decided I would start one myself. I’m an American and in America (at least in my part of the country) there is little or no info about snus, so I’m here to fill the void and give English language reviews, advice, and recommendations about Swedish Snus.

What is Snus? Snus is a smokless tobacco product originating in Sweden. It is distinct for several reasons. The tradition of Snus originated in Sweden over 200 years ago when the working classes decided to grind up tobacco with their coffee grinders and use the product orally. Ever since, Snus has evolved into the fine products we have today. Snus is a ground tobacco product that contains, normally, only tobacco, salt, humectants, and sometimes some flavoring and/or herbs. Like American dipping tobacco, snus is used under the lip, but usually under top lip instead of the bottom. Unlike American dipping tobacco, snus is steam processed and free of chemicals, whereas dipping tobacco is fire treated, fermented, and contains chemicals and God knows what else. As a result, there is a drastic reduction in carcinogens (cancer causing compounds) and a richer more robust tobacco flavor. Wikipedia: Snus

Why use snus? I can think of three great reasons: Stealth, Health, and Wealth.

Stealth: This product can be used anywhere. Since it slides under the upper lip and is easy to conceal, no one can really tell just what you’re doing. Also, unlike cigarettes, there is no odor and you don’t have to go outside to use it. There are no “no-snusing” zones… at least in the USA. Unlike dipping tobacco or chew, there is no spitting so there is no stigma and no need to haul a spit cup or bottle around with you. Just think, you can use snus on airplanes, at work, in class, in the movies, in bars, in restaurants, etc…

Health: There have been many studies that show that snus is much less hazardous than cigarettes or American smokeless tobaccos. I read one study that concludes that whereas Cigarettes and dipping tobacco have about 170 carcinogens per use, snus had only 2.8. Also, while over half of the Swedish male population uses snus, Swedish men still have the lowest oral cancer rates in all of Europe. Although I cannot investigate the scientific authority of these studies, and cannot promote snus as completely harmless, I can say that when compared to the alternatives, it seems that it is the best option.

Wealth: Snus costs a little less than a can of premium American dip like Copenhagen or Skoal, and about the same as a pack of premium American cigarettes like Camel or Marlboro but… On average, you don’t need to use snus as often as these other products. Also, since you usually have to order snus from the internet, there are certain deals you can get when you order snus in bulk. Before I started using snus, I smoked about a pack of cigarettes a day. Now that I use snus, I go through about 2-3 cans in a two week period. I usually spend about $25-30 on snus per month, as compared to roughly $120/month on cigarettes when I smoked. Since you can use snus at your leisure and do not have to go outside for a snus break, or snus only when you get the chance to, or go outside of bars or restaurants to go to use it, you end up using snus less than cigarettes since you have the freedom to use it anywhere anytime. Altogether, you end up saving a good deal of money.

How does snus compare to American dip like Skoal or American Chew like Redman?

Well it looks a lot like American dip, but it is not so similar when it comes to taste or flavor. Whereas American dip has a strong, almost repugnant taste, smell, and flavor, snus has a more sublte and rich flavor. When you put a dip in, your mouth goes into immediate shock and you start spitting immediately. When you put in a snus, it takes a while for it to become moist in your mouth and the process is gradual but lasts longer and plus: no spitting! Also, you usually put a dip in in your bottom lip, but you put snus under your upper lip, usually a bit off-center but towards the front.

As compared to chew and dip, you don’t usually need as much. Since it is so finely ground, just a dab will do ya. You usually need a big wad of chew to be satisfied, or a pretty big pinch of dip. With snus, you don’t need as much.

Snus comes in two types portion (like pouches or bandits) or loose. The portions come in a little pouch made out of material like a tea bag. You just stick them in and there is no mess to worry about. They are the most easily hidden, and when you take them out, there is no mess or residue left behind.

Snus Portion/Pouch

Loose snus, on the other hand, comes ground in a tin very similar to that of American dipping tobacco. You have to pack a can of dip to get a good pinch, but with snus, you take a small amount and place it in the palm of your hand. You then use your other hand to form a little ball or pris of snus. This pris should be pretty compact. Then you just lift your upper lip and stick it under. The pris should stay together pretty well and give off flavor for a long time.

Snus Pris in progress

In my personal opinion, America is just waiting for snus to have a big impact on tobacco use. Camel and Marlboro have already started to test-market their own snus products in certain target regions within the USA. If you want to try the real good stuff though, you gotta go with the Swedish stuff. We have no idea what’s in Camel and Marlboro snus and, for many of us, the products are simply unavailable. I’ve tried the Camel snus and while it did taste good, it also contained fiberglass (so the Camel representative told me) and it scratched up my mouth and tongue. As I said, I smoked about a pack a day before I made the switch to snus. I had been smoking for about 5 or 6 years, but when I started doing snus, I was able to pretty much completely cut out cigarettes in about 1 or 2 weeks. Now I just use snus and it is great.

Now that you’ve got an idea about snus, stay tuned for the rest of my blogs. I will be reviewing various brands and types of snus and giving you the low down on them all. Happy snusing.

The Snus Blogger