What is snus?

Smokeless
Snus is simply smokeless tobacco product, that is been used in Sweden for over 200 years.

Spitless
Snus does not typically result in the need for spitting and unline most American smokeless tobacco, Swedish snus is steam-pasteurized.

Premium tobacco
Snus typically contains premium tobacco.
History
In the 16th century, snuff - which was a form of pulverized tobacco - was introduced to France. The story goes on to tell us that Jean Nicot, working for the French court, gave it to Catherine de' Medici for a headache. The more she used this, the more popular it became among the monarchs and well to-do citizens. This snuff (which was inhaled), spread to Sweden in the 17th century. Later on around the 19th century, the Swedish began to develop moist snuff (which was an ORAL tobacco product used in the upper lip) and became known as snus. This is the earliest history of snus, and shows the rich history of snus, and the years that have gone into its development to make it the refined product we know today!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does Snus have an Expiration Date?
Swedish Snus is considered as a food product. Like food products such as milk, bread et cetra, they expire. It is important to check expiring date if you are buying Snus and to be sure that you finish can before it expires. Those expiring date labels are clearly visible on snus cans. On Swedish Snus can it should be written as "BÄST FÖRE". In Europe the date is represented as DD/MM/YYYY but in America it is MM/DD/YYYY.
Snus's that don't have an expiration date are not pasteurized in any manner, are dry or very low in moisture and shouldn't qualify to be called as "Snus" - How do you best store Snus?
Swedish Snus is unique because you have a chance to froze it, like a meat. Snus is a perishable product and should be kept refrigerated to keep it fresh for a long time. When stored this way, moist loose can stay fresh up to 14 weeks and moist portions can last 20 weeks. Dryer products can last as long as 30 weeks.
If you need to store Swedish Snus longer than that, you should freeze the can right away. This keeps Snus fresh for a year, if you pack the cans in an airtight freezer bag. When you decide to thaw the frozen snus, put in the refrigerator first to ensure moister is retained evenly in the product. It is also important to know that no water should have the access into the can. - What is GOTHIATEK®?
It is the quality assurance standards established by Swedish Match.
- What material is used for portions?
The material used for the portion pouches, according to GOTHIATEK®, is the same as used to make paper teabags and is made up of cellulose fibers.
- Does the Swedish Snus contain glass?
According to GOTHIATEK®, it does not contain no glass whatsoever and never has. This is just one myth.
- Can you put the portion pouches in the compost?
No! Tobacco in the pouch does break down biologically but the pouches do not since they are basically like tea bag so because of pouches it would break down very slowly. That’s why the used portion pouches should not be discarded as compost.
- What is TSNA?
TSNA stands for tobacco-specific nitrosamines(carcinogens) which are naturally found in tobacco.
- Swedish Snus vs American Snus
Swedish Goverment has strictly regulated the manufacture of Snus as a food product. They have criteria on ingredients, quality control et cetra. Snus in Sweden has food safety standards. However the snus that is manufactured in United States is not regulated and US Goverment hasn't set any standards what so ever. We even do not know how much sugar is in the American Snus or are they pasterurized and if so then how. The biggest difference is that Swedish snus must be pasteurized, which kills virtually all the TSNA's. And the bottom line is, we know what is in Swedish Snus but in many cases we do not know what is in American Snus, what it is made of and how it is made. We do not know the TSNA levels in American Snus thus we do not know how dangerous they can be. In American snus we even do not know the amount of nicotine.
- Is Snus same as Snuff
No, it is not! For more information, just Google it.
- Health
Snus is healthier than other tobacco products however we can not say it is safe! You can consider going over from cigarettes to snus but you shouldn't start snusing if you do not need nicotine.
- Snus Terms
Portions - There are many varieties of portions. In the dip community, they are known as pouches, but they can also be called like this in the snus world.
White Portions - When the loose(los/lös) tobacco has been packaged into a pouch. No extra moisture has been added and these are dryer than regular portions. In Swedish "vit" means white.
Original Portions / Regular Portions - When the loose(los/lös) tobacco has been packaged in a portion. Extra moisture is added and is apparent by the portions having a brown color instead of a white color.
Black Portions - Not very common, but it does exist. It is just a white portion in other colored pouch. For example General Onyx.
Long Portion - The longer and slimmer portion.
Maxi(Maxad) Portion - Larger than regular portion.
Mini Portion - Small portion which is usually half of the regular portion.
Prilla - When loose(los/lös) is portioned.
Baking - If you form the loose(los/lös) into a portion with hands, not using the tool.
Long Cut - If limited edition comes out. For example Thunder (10 Year Anniversary Edition).
Stark and Extra Stark - Strong and Extra Strong.
Salmiak / Lakrits - Term for licorice.
Flader - Term for eldeflower.
Tranbär - Term for cranberry.
Kanel - Term for cinnamon.
Bergamot - Most traditional snus flavor.