Since its invention in 18th-century Sweden, snus has expanded beyond Scandinavian borders, adapting to the needs of diverse users. American snus is a notable example, designed to meet the tastes and preferences of U.S. consumers.
Today, only a few companies produce American snus, giving it an exclusive appeal and setting it apart from traditional American smokeless tobacco products like dip and chew.
Keep reading to discover the top American snus brands, the products they offer, and how they compare to traditional Swedish snus.
Most Popular American Snus Brands
American snus offers a limited choice of brands, flavors, and strengths. It’s available in portioned form only and manufactured by a handful of American tobacco companies.
The three most notable American snus brands include:
- Camel
- Skoal
- Grizzly
Camel is the most famous American snus brand, accounting for 78.1% of sales in 2019. In comparison, Skoal snus holds a much smaller market share of 13.3%, making it far less popular among U.S. snus consumers. Grizzly is a rising newcomer produced by the same company that makes Camel Snus, holding a fraction of the market share.
Camel Snus—America’s Favorite
Source: stanford.edu
Camel Snus is produced by R.J. Reynolds, one of the oldest tobacco manufacturers in the U.S., delivering premium products since 1875. Today, R.J. Reynolds is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Camel Snus was introduced to the U.S. market in 2006 and has remained popular ever since. It’s sold in recognizable rectangular tin cans containing 15 pouches, offering various flavors that appeal to American snus fans.
Available Strengths and Formats
Camel Snus products come in two strengths: 1.5 mg and 2.5 mg of nicotine per pouch. The strength is determined by the size of the pouch and the amount of tobacco it contains.
If you’re unsure which is best for you, the table below matches each strength to your current nicotine habits:
Pouch Format | Nicotine Strength | Best For |
Regular | 1.5 mg/pouch | Light and social smokers (fewer than 10 cigarettes per day) and oral tobacco users with low nicotine tolerance |
Large | 2.5 mg/pouch | Regular smokers who go through a pack of cigarettes daily and oral tobacco users with moderate nicotine tolerance |
Flavor Selection
Camel snus pouches come in five refreshing minty flavors tailored to the taste of American users:
- Camel Mint—A mellow aroma of tobacco combined with a burst of icy peppermint
- Camel Frost—A refreshing blend of classic tobacco flavor and menthol coolness
- Camel Winterchill—The timeless taste of fresh wintergreen paired with a rich tobacco flavor
- Camel Robust—An intense tobacco aroma with a touch of sweetness and spiciness
- Camel Mellow—Smooth tobacco flavor balanced with subtle sweet undertones
Skoal Snus—A Popular Alternative
Source: hy-vee.com
Skoal is another popular U.S. brand that has been around since 1934. Its products are manufactured by the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, a subsidiary of Altria Group, Inc.
Despite its extensive history, Skoal is primarily known for its long cut, fine cut, and dip pouches. Skoal’s selection of American snus pouches is limited, featuring only two products:
- Skoal Mint Snus
- Skoal Smooth Mint Snus
Both products combine the rich taste of American tobacco with a sweet peppermint aroma. The main difference is flavor intensity, with Skoal Mint offering a potent experience.
A can of Skoal Snus contains 15 pouches, weighing 1.1 grams each, slightly larger than Camel Snus pouches. Despite the size difference, each Skoal snus pouch has 2.4 mg of nicotine, similar to Camel’s large pouches.
Grizzly Snus
Grizzly Snus is a relatively new brand that debuted in 2020. American Snuff Co., a subsidiary of R.J. Reynolds, produces this American snus, which also makes the popular Camel snus.
Although Grizzly is one of the most popular dip brands in the U.S., its snus line isn’t as widely used but still has a dedicated following.
Grizzly doesn’t publicly disclose the strength of their snus pouches, stating only that they provide an intense experience. Still, when you try one, the intensity feels comparable to 4–6 mg of nicotine per pouch.
Grizzly snus pouches come in several flavors:
- Grizzly Arctic Blue—A blend of mint and rich tobacco, with a subtle sweet note felt in the background
- Grizzly Wintergreen—A classic, smooth wintergreen flavor that complements the tobacco taste without overpowering it
- Grizzly Natural—The newest addition, featuring a pronounced tobacco flavor with a hint of sweetness for a balanced experience
A can of Grizzly Snus contains 15 large pouches, each weighing one gram and delivering nicotine and flavor for around 30–40 minutes.
Swedish Snus vs. American Snus—Key Differences
Source: swedishmatch.se
Though both Swedish snus and American snus contain pasteurized tobacco, they have several key differences, including their:
- Nicotine strengths
- Flavor selection
- Pouch sizes
- Moisture and pH levels
- TSNA levels
1. Nicotine Strengths
Compared to the nicotine strengths in American snus products (1.5–2.5 mg/g), Swedish snus covers a much broader spectrum. Swedish varieties range from 4 mg of nicotine per pouch for mild options to 45 mg for the strongest brands, although most brands don’t go above 22 mg/g.
2. Flavor Selection
American snus products are much sweeter, with a milder tobacco flavor, and mainly have minty aromas like menthol, peppermint, and wintergreen.
Swedish snus offers a stronger tobacco taste and comes in more flavors, including traditional options like mint and wintergreen, alongside unique aromas like forest berries, melon, and dark chocolate.
3. Pouch Sizes
Compared side by side, Swedish snus pouches are noticeably larger, providing a fuller, richer flavor and a longer-lasting nicotine experience.
4. Moisture and pH Levels
According to a study comparing 64 snus products made by Swedish and American brands, Swedish snus contains more moisture and higher pH levels, allowing nicotine to be absorbed more efficiently into your bloodstream.
5. TSNA Levels
The same study shows that American snus contains twice as many tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) compared to Swedish snus, which are naturally occurring chemicals found in tobacco and are known to cause cancer.
Most Popular Swedish Snus Brands Sold in America
Here are the most popular Swedish snus brands sold in the States:
- General—Founded in 1840, General snus is one of the most popular Swedish snus brands of all time, famous for using a blend of over 20 tobacco types to create its signature flavor
- Göteborgs Rapé—Manufactured since 1919, this premium Swedish snus brand combines a smooth tobacco taste with fresh herbs and juniper berries, resulting in a slightly sweeter taste
- Ettan—Ettan snus has been manufactured for centuries and accounts for a fifth of all snus sales in Sweden
- Lundgrens—This brand combines tradition and innovation with its perforated mesh pouches, ensuring a quick and efficient release of nicotine and flavor
Nicotine Pouches—A Modern Way To Consume Nicotine
Source: SnusBoss
Nicotine pouches are a modern nicotine delivery method inspired by Swedish snus, but 100% tobacco-free. Nicopods contain only pharmaceutical nicotine and food-grade ingredients, making them one of the safest options available.
Being tobacco-free, nicotine pouches also don’t stain or discolor your teeth, helping you maintain a bright smile and fresh breath.
Besides being safer, nicotine pouches offer several other benefits, as follows:
- Wide variety of strengths—Nicotine pouches provide a broader range of strengths than other tobacco or nicotine products. You can tailor your nicotine experience to your preferences with strengths ranging from 1.5 mg of nicotine per pouch for the mildest nicopods to high-strength pouches with over 50 mg of nicotine
- More flavors—Unlike tobacco products, nicotine pouches don’t have a harsh tobacco taste. They come in a variety of flavors and aromas, including menthol, fruits, berries, and even whiskey and energy drinks
- High absorption rates—Due to high absorption rates of up to 50%, nicopods are the most efficient nicotine delivery method available today. This means you don’t have to use that many nicotine pouches to satisfy your daily nicotine needs
How To Use a Nicotine Pouch
Nicotine pouches are easy to use. Here’s how:
- Place a single pouch between your gums and upper lip
- Leave the pouch in for 5–45 minutes, depending on your preference and nicotine tolerance. Don’t chew, suck, or swallow the pouch
- After you’re done, remove the used pouch and throw it away
Order Premium EU-Made Nicotine Pouches From SnusBoss
Run by a team of seasoned experts, SnusBoss is a trusted source of premium EU-made nicotine pouches that deliver a top-tier experience with richer flavors, more moisture, and a more potent kick than most American products.
The FDA’s decision to classify nicotine pouches as tobacco products significantly impacted their development in the U.S., which imposed complex pre-marketing procedures for new products. This gave EU manufacturers a significant headstart, allowing them to perfect their nicopod recipes and make superior products.
Explore nicotine pouch brands available at SnusBoss in the table below:
ZYN | Velo | Dope | GOAT | Denssi |
Glitch | Hit | Oryx | Pik | Snatch |
Pablo | Kozmo | Jäger | Kurwa | White Fox |
Thor | Roger | Killa | Klint | Kick |
Siberia | Chapo | Paz |
Ordering from SnusBoss is easy. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit the online store
- Select your preferred brand, strength, and flavor
- Provide your shipping and payment details
Opt for express delivery at checkout to receive your shipment in 2–3 business days, and enjoy free shipping on all orders over $249.
Featured image source: Relentless