Are you tempted to try snus as a smokeless alternative to smoking? Read on to find out how to use it properly, what types you might encounter and what to consider when choosing your first pack.
How to use snus correctly?
Using snus is very simple and together we will go through it step by step.
What to watch out for when using snus?
We can also drink snus while it is in our mouths, but we must be careful not to swallow the bag. The pouchesare not intended for consumption.
If we feel nauseous when using snus, it may be a sign of a strong dose of nicotine. In this case, it is better to remove the sachet and reach for a sachet with a lower nicotine content later.
Too much nicotine in the body can cause nicotine poisoning, which is manifested by headache or abdominal pain, vomiting or nausea, loss of appetite, increased blood pressure and dehydration.
How to store snus?
An opened pack of snus will stay fresh for about a week, so we can carry it normally with us in our pocket, carry-on bag or on our desk. In order to keep unopened packets fresh enough, it is ideal to store them in the refrigerator. This will help to keep the pouches from drying out and retaining the right flavour.
How to choose the right type of snus?
There are currently around 150 types of snus on the market and innovations are ongoing, so it's not easy to find the right one for you. In the beginning, 200 years ago, it was a dark packaged powder, today snus is characterised by a round box.
Several variations are available according to colour, portion size, strength, and taste. Let's take a look at them together.
What variants of snus are there?
The oldest type is called "loose snus" i.e. loose. It consists of tobacco, salt water and flavour. Loose snus differs in the coarseness to which the tobacco leaves are chopped.
However, nowadays we most often encounter portioned snus. There are three main categories of tobacco pouches to choose from:
Original portion - classic - tobacco pouches are moisturised before they are put into the pack as a result of which the pouch holds its moisture and turns brown from the tobacco. In practice, this means a faster onset of flavour and nicotine. Such is the case with Odens Original Portion
White portion - has a milder taste and nicotine is released more slowly. The pouches are not hydrated before packing, so they remain white, but damp tobacco can soak through and stain them. However, they do not stain the hands when touched. Siberia Blue is just like that.
White dry portion - unhydrated pouch with tobacco that contains much less water. The onset of action is thus much slower and occurs only after the moisture has been absorbed from the mouth. Vika Red also belongs to this type of sachet.
A separate category is nicotine pouches, which are called all white. These do not contain tobacco but consist of a colourless natural mixture with flavouring and nicotine.
What size are snus tobacco pouches?
All tobacco pouches are available in several sizes, which vary in both size and tobacco content. The most commonly encountered are:
Regular - the most common size with a size of 18x33 mm, weighing around 1g.
Slim - a narrow version of the classic 14x38mm pouch, they are the same weight but fit better under the lip.
Mini - the smallest pouch with dimensions 12x29mm, weight around 0,5g.
Maxi - larger bag with weight around 1,7g.
How strong is the snus?
The strength of a particular snus depends on the nicotine content, but is also affected by aroma, pH and humidity. It is indicated on the box or mentioned in the product description. Based on intensity, snus can be divided into several main groups:
The individual groups do not have a precisely defined amount of nicotine per gram of product per sachet. It is only a very approximate indication. If you want to be sure that you are not buying a product that is too strong or too weak, pay attention to the nicotine content.
For beginners, a nicotine content of 1 to 4 mg per sachet is suitable. Advanced and experienced users can choose strong snus with nicotine levels above 30 mg per sachet.
The first level is marked on the box with two dots and is also called normal or original. The original snus also has this power.
The second level is called strong and is indicated by three dots.
The third level has four dots on the wrapper and provides an even stronger experience than the strong level, which is why it is called extra strong.
The fourth level is super strong (super strong/ultra strong) and is indicated by five dots on the box.
How much nicotine does snus contain?
The nicotine content of individual pouches depends on the manufacturer and brand but is most often 8 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco. Strong and extra-strong variants can contain 11 to 22 mg. Extra strong variants can have up to 43 mg of nicotine per gram of tobacco.
What are the flavours of snus?
Flavouring is very important for a good snus experience. All snus variants have a distinct tobacco aroma, with the exception of the all white.
Flavours such as whiskey, bergamot, mint, liquorice - these flavours complement tobacco perfectly.
The all-white snus, which does not contain tobacco, can be flavoured with any flavour. Fruit flavours such as melon, blueberry, lime, or apple can be found. The market is very broad and new flavours and combinations of flavours are constantly emerging.