There are various tobacco products available on the market. Apart from traditional cigarettes and cigars, there are also electronic cigarettes or small pouches known as snus. It is precisely this product that is one of the most popular ones you can find. Consumers enjoy its simple and discreet use, pleasant taste, and different nicotine contents. It is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced users alike. Are you curious about the additional advantages snus has over other tobacco products? We have the answers for you.

What is snus, and how did it originate?

The term “snus” refers to small poches filled with various ingredients, including tobacco, nicotine, and flavourings. Some brands, such as Kickup, even produce special pouches containing vitamins and minerals.   

Snus can come in slightly moist or dry pouches. The main difference between them Is that users of slightly moist pouches may need to spit more frequently. With dry pouches, spitting is minimal. Their advantage lies in the gradual and long-lasting release of flavour and nicotine.

Pouches can come in different sizes. The most popular formats include:

  • Normal – classic pouches that are slightly visible during use. Compared to slim or mini formats, they can accommodate more product.
  • Slim – discreet elongated pouches, hardly visible under the lip.
  • Mini – the smallest pouches, providing the highest level of discretion. They are invisible under the lip.

If you are interested in the origin of snus, we have to go back to the 16th century. During this period, a French diplomat named Jean Nicot was the first to take an interest in snus. He cultivated tobacco in his garden, dried it, and ground it into a fine powder. He once offered this powder to the French queen, Catherine de’ Medici, to help her relieve migraines. From the royal court, the product spread throughout the country and later beyond its borders.

Swedish snus vs American snus

Snus is currently divided into two main categories based on whether it is produced in Sweden or the United States. There are several differences between the two variants.   

  • Swedish snus – it can be packaged in pouches or loose form. It is characterized by a strong tobacco base and menthol or fruity flavours. It also contains a higher nicotine content, making it more suitable for experienced users. Swedish snus used to be known for having larger pouches than American snus, but today you can find it in various formats.
  • American snus – the selection of American snus is not as wide because there are fewer companies manufacturing it. However, you can choose from various flavours and nicotine content, with American snus generally being milder than Swedish snus. It is also suitable for beginners.

Snus vs dip

Within the realm of tobacco products, you may also come across the term “dip” or “dipping tobacco.” The difference between this and the regular tobacco used in snus is that dip undergoes fermentation. The classic variant is pasteurized. 

What are cigarettes and cigars?

Alongside snus, you can also purchase cigarettes and cigars when buying tobacco products. Cigarettes are consumed by smoking. They are made from dried tobacco leaves that are finely chopped and mixed with other ingredients. This mixture is rolled into a paper tube, which includes a cigarette filter.

Cigars are larger in comparison to cigarettes. Some cigars can contain as much tobacco as a pack of cigarettes. The difference also lies in the nicotine content. While a cigar can contain approximately 100 to 200 mg of nicotine, a cigarette contains only bout 10 mg.  

The main differences between cigarettes and snus

We have already told you about the basic information on tobacco products. Let’s take a look at the main differences between them.

Nicotine snus snus vs cigarette – differences in usage

Differences between cigarettes, cigars and snus can primarily be observed in their usage:  

  • Cigarette – simply light it and inhale the nicotine along with other substances.
  • Cigar – before lighting, it needs to be cut. The smoke is not inhaled into the lungs but rather drawn into the mouth to savour the taste and aroma.
  • Snus – place the pouch under the lip and enjoy the nicotine as well as sweet or fresh flavour.

Snus vs smoking – differences in content and composition

The composition of snus varies depending on the individual brands. Generally, snus pouches contain ground tobacco, salt, a binder, and flavourings. Some brands also add vitamins and minerals to the mixture.  

Cigarettes typically consist of tobacco, chemical additives, a filter, and a paper wrapper, while cigars are made from a single type of tobacco and special packaging. They are available in various sizes, with the largest cigars lasting from 1 to 2 hours when smoked. 

Snus vs cigarettes – cost differences

It is no surprise that cigarettes are a significant expense on the shopping list, as their price is high regardless of the preferred brand. However, when choosing snus, you won’t save much. Most snus products cost the same or slightly more.

For better perspective, here’s a comparison:

  • The average price for a pack of 20 cigarettes in 2023 is 60 Euro.
  • The average price for a snus can, which usually contains 10 to 20 pouches, is 4 to 5 Euros.

The good news is that you can save money on snus by purchasing larger packages, such as those containing 50 or 100 cans. In such cases, you can pay up to 1 Euro less per can.

Snus vs cigarettes – differences in health impact

It is well known that conventional cigarettes and cigars are addictive and can cause several diseases, including cancer, respiratory damage, impotence, or circulatory system diseases.

Regarding how chewin tobacco affects our body compared to cigarettes, the answer is simply – differently. However, the specific health impact depends on the product you chose.

For example, Swedes have limited the number of chemicals present in snus pouches, making snus less dangerous than traditional cigarettes. On the other hand, American snus, which is not subject to chemical restrictions, may have a negative impact on overall health. 

Regulation of snus and cigarettes

Tobacco products are subject to the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU, which prohibits cigarettes and tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes with characterizing flavours. Cigarette manufacturers are required to display health warnings on packaging and provide information on the content of substances in their products.

The directive also establishes minimum dimensions for health wanrings, bans the promotion of tobacco products, and allows EU countries to prohibit online sales of tobacco and related products.

Based on the directive, a pan-European tracking and tracing system has been introduced to combat illicit trade in tobacco products, and requirements for safety, quality, and notification have been set for electronic cigarettes.  

Ideal cigarette replacement

Snus is an ideal replacement for cigarettes that is discreet and practical. It is suitable for every smoker. The pouches can be used at work, while traveling, or in restaurants. They also offer a wide range of flavours, satisfying everyone’s preferences, and some products have less impact on health compared to cigarettes.