Snus is one of the most widespread alternatives for tobacco in Sweden and Norway, often unheard of globally. So, what is snus, and how did it come to be?
Snus, the under-the-lip tobacco product, is a well-established way of absorbing nicotine in Nordic countries. Some may have heard of it while travelling there or randomly running into a Swede or Norwegian whilst on holiday. It might be a well-known form of tobacco amongst bartenders on islands and in cities often visited by the Nordics on their partying holidays.
Never heard of it? Let’s break it down for you.
What is snus?
Snus is a form of tobacco that often comes with added flavour and aromatics. It is available in either loose form or in small pouches. Both are placed between the upper lip and gums. The products vary in strength based on the level of nicotine per gram. The “pouched” format is ready to be placed under the upper lip at once, while loose snus is often “baked” by hand into what some refer to as barrels.
As opposed to the americanized chewing tobacco, spitting out residue and dripping is unnecessary as it’s a much drier form of tobacco. There are variants of “dip” on the Nordic market, but the consumption volume isn’t even close to as large as snus.
A range of flavours is available in Sweden and Norway, but the most common are original tobacco flavours, which often has a hint of bergamot or mint. Many producers of snus also make tobacco and nicotine free snus.
Unlike cigarettes, the nicotine in snus takes somewhat longer to enter the system as it has to be absorbed through the mucous membrane in the mouth.
Origin
Snus originates from “snuff” – a dry and pulverised form of tobacco used by sniffing it. Snuff was first introduced to the French upper class in the 16th century. Spreading across Europe as a more fashionable way of using tobacco products than, e.g. smoking, it was revamped when the product reached Sweden in the 1800s.
Later the tobacco became moister, and the way of using it changed. It was no longer sniffed up the nose but instead placed in the mouth. The oldest snus brand is the Swedish brand “Ettan”, which started production in 1822. It took almost a century before a Norwegian demand occured.
The overall demand in both countries subsided somewhat during the early 1900s, before the sales and consumption once again rocketed in the 1980s. An even bigger and quite substantial rise came after the new millennium when its popularity raised parallel with the number of regular smokers going down.
Obtaining snus
Snus is available online, in grocery stores, at gas stations, in some bars and local stores.
Snus is illegal in all countries in the European Union. Sweden is the only exception to this rule, and Norway is not a member of the EU. This also includes Switzerland, but here the product varies somewhat from the original products found in Sweden and Norway.
You can find similar products in Estonia (EU member), the US and Canada. But these pouches of tobacco differ to such an extent that it’s usually not considered to be the same product. Importing the product to America is possible, but not an option for many as taxes spike the prices of snus considerably, making other alternatives much more affordable.
Due to taxes in Norway, many Norwegians travel across the border to buy the product for much less. The Norwegian government regulates limitations for private import, but the trip to Sweden is still a more affordable alternative for many.