Being new to snus, there are alot of common questions asked, which is a big reason I wanted a Snus FAQ section, so people could find answers to alot of these common questions. I spoke with Lars Erik Rutqvist, Vice President Scientific Affairs, MD, PhD at Swedish Match to provide some answers to some of these commonly asked questions.
Q: What is snus? Lars Erik Rutqvist: "Snus" is Swedish for snuff. As used today, the term refers to an oral tobacco product manufactured according to the method traditionally used in Sweden.
Q: How long has snus been around? Lars Erik Rutqvist: "Modern" Swedish snus was invented in the early 1800s.
Q: What makes Swedish Snus different from American "Snus"? Lars Erik Rutqvist: Swedish snus is manufactured according to traditional methods although the quality standard developed by Swedish Match ("GothiaTek") is relatively recent. None of the American manufacturers have, to my knowledge, disclosed details of their production techniques, so I cannot say what the differences are.
Q: The term "Harm Reduced Tobacco" has been thrown around alot, what makes snus "safter" than cigarettes? Lars Erik Rutqvist: According to the recently enacted regulation of the tobacco in the U.S., tobacco manufacturers cannot make reduced harm claims unless the FDA has given its approval. However, the FDA has not yet decided what should be the exact definition of a "modified risk" or "reduced harm" product. According to the U.S. Tobacco Act, such a definition must not only take into account the health profile of the product in question, but also whether it is likely to benefit the population as a whole taking into account both current users and non-users of tobacco. Swedish Match is committed to working with the FDA to establish if they agree with us that our Swedish snus is, in fact, a "reduced harm product" according to the mentioned definition. Until we get their approval, I cannot, as an employee of Swedish Match, elaborate on current scientific findings about snus, because it could be construed as if Swedish Match was making unapproved claims of "reduced harm" or "modified risk".
That said, during my time as a researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, I was one of the initiators of a large-scale epidemiological study of the risk of oral cancer associated with snus. We found no increased risk among snus users (who on average had used snus for about 20 years). Later on, other Swedish studies confirmed our results which prompted the European Union to order a removal of the cancer warning from the snus cans. My research group at the Karolinska also noted that, based on extensive epidemiological research, many prestigious institutions, for instance, the Royal College of Physicians in London, concluded that using smokefree tobacco in general, and Swedish snus in particular, is associated with substantially lowered risks of tobacco-related disease compared to cigarette smoking.
However, as Swedish Match is committed to work closely with the FDA and to comply with all regulations in this area, I am compelled to refrain from commenting on the scientific documentation about Swedish snus.
Q: Have any studies been done about the effects of snus on health? What have they found? Lars Erik Rutqvist: During the past two decades more than 100 scientific studies on health effects of Swedish snus have been published in international scientific journals. Based on this extensive documentation as well as scientific data on other smokefree products, such as American moist snuff, many prestigious institutions and research groups have commented on the wide continuum of health risks associated with different tobacco products (with cigarettes being invariably described as the most hazardous). But I cannot comment on these conclusions as it might be construed as claims of "reduced harm" for Swedish Match�s snus products.
Q: People are trying to quit smoking, and we see alot turning to snus. Now, snus is big in Sweden, and starting to work it's way into the US market due to RJ Reynold's Camel "SNUS", do you think it will ever be a big item in the US? Lars Erik Rutqvist: Among males in Sweden, snus has over the past three to four decades largely replaced cigarettes. Swedish male smoking rates are today record low in an international perspective. In Norway we see the same trend but it took off much later (early to mid 1990s). In recent years we have also observed that young women in both countries start to use snus instead of cigarettes (or switch from cigarettes to snus). Many of the drivers of these trends in Scandinavia exist also in the U.S., such as, smoking bans, increased excise taxes, "de-normalization" of smoking, better education and public awareness of the health hazards associated with smoking, etc, etc. From that perspective it seems reasonable to assume that a "Scandinavian trend" may well happen also in other countries with a tradition of smoke-free tobacco, such as, the U.S. But, given the addictive properties of smoking and nicotine, I believe a pivotal issue in any country is the nicotine delivery profile of the smokefree products that are readily available to smokers. The traditional brands of snus (General, Ettan, Grov etc) are "high nicotine delivery" products by smokefree standards which may be pivotal for a smoker's acceptance of them as a "good enough" alternative to cigarettes. Products with less nicotine delivery may possibly only work as complimentary to cigarettes among many smokers, e g something smokers use in situations where smoking is not allowed or possible. Such products may only contribute to "dual usage" and smoking maintenace instead of complete cessation. Correct, science-based information to the public about the wide continuum of risk associated with different tobacco products is another crucial issue.
Q: How do you suggest storing snus, does it have to be refrigerated? Lars Erik Rutqvist: The traditional packaging of Swedish snus (plastic cans for pouch products and cardboard cans for loose snus) implies that storage in a fridge (at 6-8 centigrades) will slow down the inevitable ageing process and preserve product freshness. Similarly to food products, deep freezing will extend storage time even longer. Swedish Match is currently testing new, food approved methods for packaging that might obviate the need for cold storage of snus.
Q: Why does Swedish Snus taste so much better than American "Snus"? Why does it seem to be of a much higher quality? Lars Erik Rutqvist: Swedish snus manufactured according to the GothiaTek standard by Swedish Match is indeed a top-quality product. Highly selected tobacco blends, a rigourously controlled production technique, and recipes perfected over decades are some of the key factors to make the "real thing". Production of high-quality snus is of course not "rocket science", but it is much more complicated that many of the "new players" in the snus business seem to think.
For more information on the differences between American "Snus" (Camel, Marlboro, etc) and Swedish Snus, Check out this article that explores all the different aspects and why Swedish Snus is much superior and safer.
Q: Snus in Sweden is regulated as a food item, much like the FDA is doing in America with cigarettes. What effect does this have on the production and sale of snus? Lars Erik Rutqvist: In Scandinavia the GothiaTek standard and the exclusive use of food-approved additives and production techniques have probably contributed to the success of snus and the wide-spread public acceptance of snus as a life-style consumer product. In the U.S. there is still very limited awareness of Swedish snus. I believe most Americans have never heard of it and don't know how it differs from other smokefree tobacco products.
Q: Why is there an expiration date on snus, and what does this mean? Does refrigerating/freezing have any effect on this date? Lars Erik Rutqvist: Once it leaves the factory, snus undergoes an "ageing" process. The main result is a decrease in moisture content and a slight decrease in pH (=the product becomes less alkaline). Less moisture may be perceived as a decrease in "freshness" and the lower pH may decrease nicotine delivery. However, "ageing" does not entail increases of any unwanted substances, such as, nitrosamines, so a product whose best before date has passed is not any less "safe" than a fresh product. Refrigeration slows down the ageing process (similarly to most food stuffs), and freezing extends the best before date almost indefinitely.
Q: What makes snus "spitfree"? Lars Erik Rutqvist: Two factors: 1) placing of the snus under the upper lip, and 2) the specific composition of snus.
Q: What is the difference between white portions and original portions? What's the difference between mini, regular, and maxi? Portion and los? Lars Erik Rutqvist: Pouched products come in small, portion-sized sachets (almost like small tea-bags), whereas with loose snus the user have to make the "pinch" himself with the fingers (or with a special gadget that most snus retailers sell). Pouched products are easier to use, they are more discreet, and usage of pouch products is generally viewed as more esthetically pleasing than the loose stuff. The risk of developing a "snus lesion" in the oral mucosa is also lower with pouches. The snus itself is the same in pouched products and loose snus of the same brand. Loose snus is more traditional, it delivers nicotine slightly more rapidly, and the user can easily control the size of the "pinch" (or "prilla" in Swedish) and consequently the amount of nicotine that is absorbed. Using loose snus is somewhat more complicated and definitely less discrete as you have to form the pinch yourself from the can. It is generally considered less esthetically pleasing as it may be more difficult to keep the snus in one place as the pinch may tend to dissolve after a few minutes in the mouth.
White portions are generally viewed as more esthetically pleasing to look at and typically have a lower moisture content than original portions. A higher moisture content is one factor that may enhance nicotine delivery in a product.
Regular pouches include c. 1.0 g of snus. Mini pouches include 0.3-0.5 g and are preferred by those who prefer a lower nicotine dose or who feel that use of regular pouch produces a too conspiciuous bulge of the upper lip. Those who want to avoid the bulge but still get the nicotine use two or more mini pouches at the same time. Maxi pouches include >1.0 g of snus and are used by those who want a higher nicotine product.
Q: Why does the EU have a sales can against snus? Lars Erik Rutqvist: A ban on snus-like products, particularly pouched smokefree products, was introduced in the UK in the late 1970s. The ban was a reaction to the business practices of a UK-based American company (that manufactured pouched American moist snuff). The rationale for the ban was that the products were thought to be particularly attractive to adolesecents and the belief that moist snuff (or similar smokfree products) was a significant risk factor for oral cancer. When the UK entered the European Union in 1992, the ban was adopted by the entire union as snus (or moist snuff) was not comon in any of the countries that at the time were member states. When Sweden entered the EU in 1995, it was granted a derogation from the ban. The ban implies that Sweden is not allowed to export or market snus to other EU countries. The ban also concerns American moist snuff. However, import of snus (or moist snuff) for personal use is allowed in all EU countries. It is expected that the current EU tobacco products' directive will be revised in 2010 and that the ban will be replaced by a science-based product regulation. A expert report published in 2008 commissioned by the EU showed that there are no longer any scientific reasons that justify the ban.
Q: What is the difference in snus and traditional smokeless tobacco (dip)? Lars Erik Rutqvist: Dip is a fermented product for which, to my knowledge, there is no widely accepted industrial standard. Swedish snus manufactured according to GothiaTek by Swedish Match is a pasteurized product. GothiaTek sets limits for unwanted substances, such as nitrosamines, and the standard has now been accepted by all manufacturers of Swedish snus.
Q: I'm new to snus, and switching over from dip, any helpful advice? Snubie.com: Yes, there is a Dip to Snus section here at Snubie.com which contains a well written "Dippers Guide to Snus". You can check it out here, at Snubie.com.
Q: Any helpful advice on how to use the Icetool for portioning los snus? ("Loose" Snus) Snubie.com: Yes, there is a Dip to Snus section here at Snubie.com which contains instructions on how to use the Icetool, a link to an article, and videos about usage and cleaning of the Icetool. You can check it out here, at Snubie.com.
Q: Just how difference is American "snus" and Swedish Snus? Snubie.com: Check out our article on American "snus" vs Swedish Snus here which explains all the differences. There is a big difference, and the only thing American "snus" shares with REAL Swedish Snus is the name and the fact that it is tobacco in pouch form. And that's as far as it goes!
