What’s Inside Snus? A Closer Look at Snus Ingredients

Originating in Sweden, snus is a smokeless tobacco product now used worldwide as a safer alternative to smoking, which produces harmful smoke, releasing over 7,000 chemicals during consumption.

Besides tobacco, snus products contain several additional components to deliver nicotine more efficiently and improve its taste. 

Read our guide to learn about snus ingredients, their functions, health effects, and how they compare to nicotine pouches—an effective and safer alternative.

Snus Ingredients—What Is Snus Made Of?

Source: Afif Ramdhasuma

The key ingredient in snus is pasteurized, finely ground tobacco that undergoes purification treatments. Alongside tobacco, snus also contains:

1. Water—Makes up 45%–60% of snus content, maintaining humidity and texture
2. Sodium chloride—Ordinary table salt used to stabilize flavor and prevent bacterial growth
3. Sodium carbonate—Used to regulate pH levels for optimal nicotine absorption
4. Moisture-preserving agents—They help retain optimal moisture and prevent bacterial growth 
5. Various flavoring agents—Natural and artificial flavors that improve the product’s taste 

What Kind of Tobacco Is Commonly Used in Snus?

Nicotiana, also known as the tobacco plant, has 79 subspecies that grow in various regions worldwide, including Europe, America, Australia, Southwest Africa, and the South Pacific. This tobacco variety allows snus manufacturers to choose different types and create unique product blends.

Here are some examples of tobacco blends used by different snus brands: 

• General—Uses at least 22 types of tobacco for its distinctive centuries-old blend
• Göteborgs Rapé—Still uses its original recipe from the 1850s, combining several types of tobacco from around the world to create its distinctive mild flavor
• Skruf—Sources its tobacco from the U.S., Africa, and Southeast Asia, each variety contributing to a unique experience

Snus Manufacturing Process—How Snus Is Made

Source: Nejc Soklič

Snus is manufactured differently than other oral tobacco products, including chewing tobacco and dip. Instead of using fermented tobacco, the tobacco in snus is pasteurized, which is a common process in the food industry.

During pasteurization, tobacco is steamed in a controlled environment, eliminating bacteria and reducing carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) to a minimum.

Here’s a step-by-step overview of how snus is made:

1. Grinding—Raw tobacco leaves are ground into fine particles (0.1 to 0.3 millimeters)
2. Mixing—The finely ground tobacco is mixed with salt and water
3. Pasteurization— The mixture is exposed to high-temperature steam for several hours and then cooled
4. Adding other ingredients—Moisture-preserving agents and flavorings are added
5. Product packaging—The final snus mixture is packaged into small bags or cans, depending on whether it will be sold loose or in portions
6. Maturation period—The snus is stored in a cold environment for several days to mature and develop its distinctive flavor

What Is the GothiaTek^® Standard and Why Is It Important?

The GothiaTek^® Standard is a quality control standard adopted by all snus manufacturers in the late 1990s to ensure product quality and safety. It’s used in all stages of snus production and includes specific standards for:

• Collecting raw ingredients
• pH monitoring
• Nicotine level monitoring
• Protection against microbes
• Temperature and moisture control
• Product packaging

Swedish vs. American Snus

Source: Paolo Margari

Swedish and American snus have significant differences, including their:

• Nicotine content—Swedish snus offers higher nicotine strengths of up to 45 mg/g
• pH levels—American snus has lower pH levels, resulting in lower nicotine absorption
• Moisture—American snus pouches are typically drier than Swedish varieties
• Flavor—Swedish snus has a rich tobacco flavor, while American products are milder and sweeter. Swedish snus also offers more flavors
• Size—Swedish snus pouches are larger, providing a longer-lasting, richer flavor
• TSNA levels—A recent study found that American snus pouches have twice the amount of carcinogenic TSNAs compared to Swedish snus

Snus Strengths

Nicotine strength in snus is determined by the tobacco blend. It can range from 4 mg to 40 mg of nicotine per gram, but most products on the market don’t go over 22 mg/g. 

The table below recommends the appropriate snus nicotine strength based on your smoking habits and nicotine tolerance levels:

How To Use Snus Properly

Both loose and portioned snus products are easy to use if you follow the steps below:

1. Pinch a small amount of snus or take a single snus pouch and place it between your gums and the upper lip
2. Leave it in for 5–60 minutes, depending on your preference and nicotine tolerance. You can safely swallow snus saliva in reasonable amounts, but don’t swallow the snus or snus pouch
3. Once you’re feeling satisfied, remove the used snus and dispose of it responsibly, away from children and pets

Nicotine Pouches—A Safer Snus Alternative

Source: SnusBoss

Nicotine pouches are a modern Swedish snus alternative, delivering nicotine with minimal side effects or health risks. 

Nicotine pouches are tobacco-free, which is their main advantage over traditional tobacco products, such as snus and dip. Nicopods, as they are also known, use only food-grade ingredients and pharmaceutical nicotine, eliminating TSNAs and other dangerous chemicals found in tobacco.

Snus and nicotine pouches are similar in appearance and use, but several key factors make nicotine pouches a superior method of nicotine consumption, including:

• Fewer health risks
• No teeth stains
• A wider selection of strengths and flavors
• High absorption rates
• Longer shelf life
• Availability

Fewer Health Risks

While snus is a safer alternative to smoking, it still contains tobacco, exposing you to harmful chemicals and increasing the risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Nicopods’ main active ingredient is nicotine, which isn’t carcinogenic and doesn’t contribute to these health issues.

No Teeth Stains

Unlike traditional tobacco products, including snus, nicotine pouches don’t cause teeth stains. Regular tobacco use is known to cause deep, persistent teeth stains that can be difficult to remove.

A Wider Selection of Strengths and Flavors

Nicotine pouches offer the broadest range of nicotine strengths, from 3 mg/g of nicotine for the mildest pouches to 50 mg/g for the strongest options. With such variety, anyone can find the perfect strength that matches their preference and nicotine tolerance.

They also lack the strong tobacco flavor typical of snus products and come in various exciting aromas.

High Absorption Rates

With nicotine absorption rates of up to 50%, nicopods offer the most efficient way of enjoying nicotine. You can get the same amount of nicotine with fewer pouches than with snus.

Longer Shelf Life

Nicotine pouches can last up to a year from the manufacturing date, significantly longer than snus, which should be consumed within 20 to 30 weeks. Even after this period, nicopods don’t go bad—they only lose some potency and flavor. 

Availability

Snus is banned in most of the EU (except in Sweden) and in many other countries worldwide, whereas nicotine pouches are widely available.

SnusBoss—Your Trusted Source of Premium Nicotine Pouches

Source: SnusBoss

SnusBoss is an online shop run by a team of seasoned experts. It boasts a rich selection of premium European nicotine pouches that surpass U.S. products in quality and offer a superior and safer experience.

The FDA’s classification of nicotine pouches as tobacco products created significant hurdles for their development in the U.S. This gave EU manufacturers a competitive edge, allowing them to produce nicopods with richer flavors, more moisture, and a stronger nicotine buzz.

Explore the wide selection of top European brands available at SnusBoss:

Follow these easy steps to order your favorite nicotine pouches from SnusBoss:

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

Choose express shipping at checkout to receive your pouches in 2–3 business days. Plus, orders over $249 come with free shipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Origin of Snus?

Snus is a traditional Swedish smokeless tobacco product that originated in the 18th century. Developed as an alternative to expensive snuff, snus has remained popular in Sweden and the neighboring Scandinavian countries.

Over time, snus spread beyond Scandinavia. Although it’s banned in most of the EU, snus remains popular in many countries worldwide, including Norway, Switzerland, and the U.S.

What’s the Difference Between Loose and Portioned Snus?

Loose snus was invented first, allowing users to control the amount of tobacco they consume. Later, snus was sold pre-packaged in small teabag-like pouches. Snus pouches became the preferred option due to their convenience, preventing tobacco from spilling into your mouth and getting stuck between your teeth.

How Much Sugar Does a General Snus Pouch Contain?

All Swedish snus, including General Snus pouches, are free of added sugars. Their total sugar content is less than 2%, derived from the natural sugars in the tobacco plant.

Despite their sweeter taste, American snus pouches like Camel and Skoal are sugar-free but use artificial sweeteners like sucralose. Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar and low in calories, making it a common choice in the food and beverage industry.

Does Snus Have Glass in It?

No, snus products, whether loose or portioned, don’t contain glass or glass shards. The salt in snus might resemble glass crystals when the snus dries, which is where this myth comes from.

Featured image source: lucasgeorgewendt