Is Snus Illegal? Snus Regulation Across Different Regions and Countries

Snus is a popular smokeless tobacco product that many smokers and vapers turned to when smoking became banned in public spaces. 

Even though it doesn’t involve high temperatures or require any consumption equipment, snus carries many health risks, so numerous countries prohibited its use and sale. 

Is snus illegal in your country? Learn about the legal status of snus in the U.S., UK, and EU, and discover a safer alternative available in most countries.

Snus Legality Map—Where Is Snus Legal?

Significant variations exist in the legal status of snus across different countries and regions worldwide.

The Global Institute of Tobacco has compiled a detailed report with the latest data on the legal status of snus worldwide. To see how each country regulates snus products, refer to the image below:

Source: gsthr.org

Is Snus Illegal in the U.S.?

Source: Ronile

Snus products are available for sale and consumption in the United States. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the main regulatory body for tobacco products, approved the sale of snus in the U.S., classifying it as a modified risk tobacco product.

Since then, the FDA has faced strong criticism for allowing snus, with some critics claiming that there’s no evidence that these products are less harmful than smoking.

Is Snus Illegal in the EU?

Source: Christian Lue

Snus has been banned in the European Union since 1992 under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which states that “Member States shall prohibit the placing on the market of tobacco for oral use.” Sweden is the only exception to this ban, where the sale and use of snus remain legal.

Why Is Snus Illegal in the EU?

The snus ban was passed following a World Health Organization study that classified all snus products as carcinogenic due to the presence of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). 

Today, there’s an ongoing debate about lifting the snus ban. Those opposed to the snus ban believe that lifting it could offer significant public health benefits, while those in favor argue that snus should remain banned due to its health risks.

Why Is Snus Legal in Sweden?

Source: Unif

When Sweden joined the EU in 1995, it received a special exemption from the EU’s snus ban since snus is an integral part of Swedish culture. This exemption, outlined in the Accession Treaty, allows Sweden to produce and sell snus products domestically, provided it takes measures to prevent them from entering other EU member states.

Sweden’s efforts to promote snus products as a lower-risk alternative to smoking have led to one of the lowest smoking rates in the world. According to a study conducted in 2022, daily tobacco consumption in men and women has been on the decline since 2004, while the use of snus has been on the rise for the past several years.

Other European Countries Where Snus Is Legal

In addition to Sweden, several other European countries that are not in the EU permit the sale and use of snus, including:

• Norway
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• Georgia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Albania

In Norway, snus can be legally imported for trade and personal use and sold online, as long as it includes a clearly labeled health warning.

The production and distribution of snus in Switzerland had been prohibited until 2019 when the Swiss Federal Administrative Court legalized it. The court claimed that the ban was unfounded because snus doesn’t pose the same public health risks as cigarettes.

Is Snus Illegal in the UK?

The UK legislation prohibits the manufacturing and sale of snus products, but it allows anyone over 18 years old to use snus.

Before Brexit, the UK was subject to the same TPD regulations as other EU countries. After leaving the EU, the UK kept these regulations regarding oral tobacco products, including the ban on snus.

What Is Snus and Why Is It Illegal in Some Countries?

Snus is a traditional tobacco product made from finely cut tobacco, available in loose and portioned forms. Originating in 18th-century Sweden, it has remained a popular way of enjoying tobacco, evolving and spreading far beyond its Scandinavian roots.

Loose snus was invented first as an affordable alternative to chewing tobacco. Later, this finely ground tobacco was packaged into small, teabag-like pouches, offering a more convenient experience by preventing bits of tobacco from getting stuck between teeth and in the throat.

Here’s how these two types of snus compare:

What Are the Key Ingredients in Snus?

The main ingredient in snus is pasteurized tobacco, which has significantly lower levels of TSNAs compared to fermented tobacco used in other oral tobacco products. That’s why snus saliva is safe to swallow in reasonable amounts.

This tobacco is mixed with the following ingredients:

• Salt
• Water
• Sodium carbonate
• Preservatives
• Optional flavorings like mint, wintergreen, or bergamot

All of these ingredients are food-grade and strictly regulated for safety. 

Salt, along with other preservatives, is used to encourage salivation and extend the shelf life of snus, while water maintains moisture. Sodium carbonate creates an alkaline pH, optimizing nicotine absorption, and various flavorings are added to improve the taste and increase appeal.

Potential Health Risks of Using Snus

Snus doesn’t require combustion to deliver nicotine, so it’s considered less harmful than smoking. Still, studies show that snus may be linked to several health problems due to containing tobacco, such as:

1. Cancer—Studies on snus and cancer show mixed results. Some show a correlation between oral, esophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancer and snus, while others find no significant connection
2. Cardiovascular issues—While considerably lower compared to smoking, regular snus users have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including stroke
3. Type 2 diabetes—Regular snus use increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Nicotine can also decrease insulin sensitivity, affecting blood sugar control in people with diabetes
4. Oral health issues—The tobacco in snus can also lead to several oral health problems, such as dental discoloration, tooth decay, tobacco pouch keratosis, and gum recession
5. Addiction—Since snus contains nicotine, continual use can lead to dependence and addiction

Nicotine Pouches—A Safer Way To Enjoy Nicotine

Source: SnusBoss

Nicotine pouches offer a modern way of enjoying nicotine that provides a similar experience to snus but without tobacco or carcinogens and harmful chemicals associated with it. Instead, nicopods use pure nicotine and food-grade ingredients to deliver the full range of satisfying effects with minimal unwanted reactions.

Besides nicotine, nicopods typically contain plant-based cellulose fibers, pH balancers, flavorings, and natural and artificial sweeteners.

How To Use Nicotine Pouches

Since they look similar to Swedish snus pouches, nicopods are used almost identically:

1. Place a single nicotine pouch between your gums and upper lip
2. Leave it there for up to 45 minutes, depending on the brand and your nicotine tolerance. Don’t suck, chew, or swallow the pouch
3. Once satisfied, remove the used pouch and dispose of it responsibly

Top Benefits of Nicotine Pouches

Here are some of the main benefits that nicopods have over snus:

• Wide availability—Unlike snus, which is banned in many regions, nicotine pouches are available in most countries worldwide
• Minimal health risks—Nicopods contain pure nicotine, which isn’t a carcinogen. Most of the harmful chemicals in snus come from tobacco
• Variety of strengths and flavors—Nicotine pouches offer a wide selection of nicotine strengths, from 1.5 mg/pouch for the mildest nicopods to over 50 mg of nicotine per pouch for the strongest options. They also come in many flavors, allowing you to customize your experience
• Higher absorption rates—With absorption rates of up to 50%, nicopods are one of the most efficient nicotine delivery methods on the market
• No dental stains—Unlike oral tobacco products, which can cause deep, stubborn teeth stains, nicotine pouches typically don’t cause dental staining

Where To Get High-Quality Nicotine Pouches

SnusBoss is an online store run by seasoned experts with years of experience in selling the best nicotine pouches. Discover a vast selection of premium European nicopods, known for having richer flavors, higher moisture, and a more powerful buzz than nicopods in the U.S.

Even though nicopods are legal in the U.S., their development has been deterred domestically because the FDA classified them as tobacco products, subjecting them to strict pre-market evaluations, as well as marketing and labeling restrictions. The EU legislation is more progressive, allowing European nicotine pouch manufacturers to perfect their formulas and production processes to meet the rising consumer demand.

Check out the table below to see the full selection of fantastic brands available at SnusBoss:

Placing an order with SnusBoss is quick and easy. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the online store
2. Select your preferred brand, strength, and flavor
3. Enter your shipping and billing info

You can choose express delivery at checkout to receive your order in 2–3 business days. Shipping is free for orders above $249.

Featured image source: abvrockgroup