Using Snus in the Bottom Lip—Benefits and Drawbacks Explored

Traditionally, snus is placed under the upper lip for comfort and a steady release of nicotine and flavor. Still, some snus fans choose the bottom lip, as this is how several other oral tobacco products are used, including dip and chew. So, how much does snus placement matter?

Learn about the pros and cons of placing snus in the bottom lip, and how it compares to tucking it under the upper lip.

Can You Put Snus in Your Bottom Lip?

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Using snus in the bottom lip is possible, but it feels different from the traditional placement under the upper lip.

In the bottom lip, the snus is closer to your salivary glands. This increases saliva production and drip, moistening the snus faster. 

Increased snus drip affects your experience in several ways, usually by:

• Shortening the duration of your sessions
• Intensifying the flavor and making it harsher
• Requiring you to spit out excess drip

Snus products are designed to release nicotine and flavor gradually over 45 minutes to an hour, as they are moistened by saliva. The increased salivation shortens this duration, causing the contents to release more quickly.

This rapid release intensifies the flavor and may lead to an uncomfortable burning sensation in your throat. While most users find this experience too strong and unpleasant, some prefer it because it enhances the flavor.

Since you won’t be able to swallow all the extra snus drip, you’ll need to spit it out frequently, making the snus experience less convenient and enjoyable. Still, many former dip and chew users prefer this method as it resembles their previous experiences.

Less Comfortable and Discreet

The shape of your oral cavity plays a key role in determining the best snus position. The limited space behind your bottom lip makes it harder to fit snus comfortably, often causing slipping or moving around.

Using the bottom lip can also cause the snus to stick out or create a noticeable bulge, making the experience less discreet.

Why Does Snus Go in the Upper Lip?

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The upper lip has long been considered the best spot for using snus for several reasons, including:

1. Minimal drip
2. A spit-free experience
3. More comfort and discretion

1. Minimal Drip

The upper lip placement offers a controlled release of nicotine and flavor because it’s farther away from your salivary glands. As a result, the snus moistens more slowly, resulting in a steady delivery of nicotine and flavor and minimal snus drip.

Here’s a timeline of what happens after placing snus in the upper lip:

1. 0–5 minutes—Your saliva gradually moistens the snus, which starts to release its flavor and nicotine content
2. 5–10 minutes—The nicotine from snus enters your bloodstream through the inner lining of your mouth, and your cravings begin to subside
3. 30–60 minutes—By this point, most of the nicotine has entered your system, reaching peak levels in your bloodstream. Your cravings are likely gone, and you’re experiencing the full spectrum of nicotine’s effects
4. 2–3 hours—Your cravings start returning and become more intense as the nicotine concentration in your blood gradually drops

2. A Spit-Free Experience

Due to lower salivation, snus produces less drip when placed under the upper lip. The low amount of drip produced this way can be swallowed safely without adverse health effects, resulting in a cleaner and more convenient spit-free experience. 

3. More Comfort and Discretion

The area behind your upper lip has a specific shape that offers more space, making it the perfect place to use snus discreetly.

Besides being more spacious, this area provides better grip, preventing the snus from moving around and causing gum irritation and chafing.

Best Place for Snus—Upper or Lower Lip?

The table below compares the upper and lower lip options, helping you choose the best placement site for your needs:

Additional Snus Placement Tips

For the best snus experience, follow the tip below:

1. Alternate placement sides
2. Don’t place snus too far back
3. Choose the right format

Alternate Placement Sides

Placing snus on only one side of your mouth, whether in the upper or lower lip, can lead to gum irritation and chafing. 

Instead, you should switch sides every time you use snus, especially if you prefer strong products or intense flavors like menthol and peppermint. Alternating placement sides will help prevent side effects and allow your gums to rest between sessions.

Don’t Place Snus Too Far Back

Even if you use the upper lip, putting snus too far back places it closer to salivary glands, causing excess drip.

To avoid this, place snus closer to the middle of your mouth, which will reduce unwanted drip, making your experience less messy and more discreet.

Choose the Right Format

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Snus is available in different formats, depending on the brand. Each offers a unique experience:

• Original portions—While not as discreet as other formats, original portions provide the richest and longest-lasting experience (up to an hour) with one gram of tobacco per pouch
• Mini portions—Compact and discreet, these pouches are the smallest on the market and hold around 0.5 grams of tobacco. They’re ideal for discreet use
• Slim portions—Combining the long-lasting effect and flavor of original portions with the discretion of mini pouches, slim pouches hold 0.6–0.8 grams of tobacco and fit snuggly under your lip
• White portions—These pouches have a dry surface, allowing for less salivation and longer-lasting flavor with minimal drip
• Unportioned snus—Loose snus is sold in powder form, which is less convenient than snus pouches but offers greater customization. To use it, you need to pinch a small amount, form a snus ball (prilla), and place it under the lip

Selecting the correct format depends on your preferences regarding discretion, duration, and flavor intensity. 

Nicotine Pouches—A Safer, Tobacco-Free Alternative

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Nicotine pouches are a modern alternative to snus, offering a similar or even better experience without tobacco. These 100% tobacco-free pouches contain food-grade ingredients and pharmaceutical nicotine, enabling an enjoyable nicotine experience while eliminating carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines.

Key Benefits of Nicotine Pouches

Besides being tobacco-free, nicotine pouches offer several additional benefits:

• Wide range of strengths—Nicotine pouches come in various strengths, from mild pouches containing 3 mg/g of nicotine to stronger options with up to 50 mg/g, catering to users of all tolerance levels
• High absorption rates—Nicotine pouches have absorption rates of up to 50%, making them more efficient at delivering nicotine than all traditional tobacco products. This means you can meet your daily nicotine needs with fewer pouches, saving money and reducing exposure to tobacco-related risks
• Endless flavor selection—Nicotine pouches don’t taste like tobacco and come in a multitude of flavors. These include classic options like mint and menthol and more exciting aromas like tropical fruit and delicious desserts
• No teeth stains—Unlike oral tobacco products, nicotine pouches don’t cause dental stains or discoloration, helping you maintain a bright smile and fresh breath
• Long shelf life—Nicotine pouches last up to a year from the production date without refrigeration, much longer than Swedish snus

How Do Nicotine Pouches Work?

Upon placing a nicopod in your mouth, your saliva moistens it, releasing flavor and nicotine from the pouch. The nicotine enters your bloodstream through the oral mucosa (the inner lining of your mouth), reaching your brain and triggering feel-good hormones. Your cravings will disappear within minutes, giving you a pleasant, calming effect.

Here’s how to use nicotine pouches for a consistent experience:

1. Place a single pouch under your upper lip
2. Let the pouch sit for 5 to 45 minutes, depending on your preference and nicotine tolerance. Don’t suck, chew, or swallow the pouch
3. Once you’re done, remove the used pouch and throw it away

Use nicopods in moderation—no more than 10 to 12 pouches a day—to avoid unpleasant side effects like nausea, acid reflux, hiccups, and gum irritation. Also, if you’re new to nicopods, start with milder pouches before progressing to a stronger option if needed.

Order the Best EU-Made Nicotine Pouches From SnusBoss

SnusBoss is your trusted source of high-quality Europen nicotine pouches run by a team of seasoned professionals. These nicopods are known for offering superior quality compared to U.S. pouches, with richer flavors, more moisture, and a stronger kick.

The FDA’s 2016 decision to classify nicotine pouches as tobacco products, despite them being 100% tobacco-free, introduced complicated pre-marketing procedures and regulatory hurdles that slowed down nicotine pouch development in the U.S. European continued perfecting their recipes and production procedures, developing superior nicopods compared to domestic products.

Here’s the entire selection of premium brands available at SnusBoss:

To place an order from SnusBoss, follow these steps:

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

Choose express delivery at checkout to receive your order in 2–3 business days. The shipping is free for orders above $249.

Featured image source: Rodion Kutsaiev