What is Swedish Snus?

Swedish snus is a traditional smokeless tobacco product originating in Sweden. It has existed in various forms for more than two centuries.

Traditional Swedish snus consists mainly of ground tobacco, water and salt, together with other ingredients used in the manufacturing process.

Snus contains nicotine. Nicotine is addictive.

How Swedish Snus is Made

The tobacco used for snus is dried and ground before being mixed with water, salt and other ingredients.

The tobacco mixture is then heat-treated in a process commonly referred to as pasteurisation. After heat treatment, the finished snus is prepared either as loose snus or packed into small portion pouches.

Manufacturing methods have changed considerably since snus first became widely used in Sweden during the nineteenth century.

Loose Snus and Portion Snus

Historically, Swedish snus was predominantly sold as loose tobacco.

A small amount of loose snus was traditionally formed into what in Swedish is called a “prilla”.

Portion-packed snus is a more recent development. Commercial portion snus appeared in Sweden during the 1970s. In this form, the tobacco is enclosed in a small porous pouch.

Both loose snus and portion snus contain tobacco and nicotine.

Snus and Other Nicotine Products

Traditional Swedish snus contains tobacco.

This distinguishes it from products generally referred to as nicotine pouches, which contain nicotine but no tobacco leaf.

The composition, classification and legal status of tobacco and nicotine products vary between countries.

Tobacco and Nicotine

Snus is a tobacco product containing nicotine.

Nicotine is addictive. People who do not use tobacco or nicotine products are generally advised not to start.

Frequently Asked Questions