Snus vs. Cigarettes—Effects and Risks Explained

Snus is a traditional Swedish tobacco product that’s gaining attention from smokers seeking a lower-risk alternative to cigarettes. But is snus better than smoking, and should you make the switch?

Find an answer in our comprehensive snus vs. cigarettes guide, which examines the benefits and risks of both products and compares them to an even safer alternative.

Is Snus Safer Than Smoking?

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Snus delivers nicotine without combustion, smoke, or ashes, making it a safer alternative to smoking.

Cigarettes burn tobacco, producing smoke with over 7,000 toxic chemicals, including tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, aldehydes, ethylene oxide, and benzene. These substances are known to cause various cancers, including:

• Lung cancer
• Oral cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Leukemia

Cigarette smoke also increases the risk of several other life-threatening conditions, such as:

• Coronary disease—Chemicals in tobacco smoke damage your heart and blood vessels. This increases the risk of atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, peripheral artery disease, high blood pressure, obesity, heart attack, and stroke
• Type 2 diabetes—Regular exposure to tobacco smoke reduces insulin efficiency, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 30%–40%
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—COPD is an umbrella term for several respiratory diseases, including pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Smoking is a known risk factor for COPD, accounting for 8 out of 10 deaths caused by this condition
• Kidney disease—Smokers are more likely to develop proteinuria (excess protein in urine), which can lead to terminal kidney failure in advanced stages
• Immune system disorders—Smoking weakens the immune system, making smokers more susceptible to infections and reducing the body’s ability to heal wounds
• Gum disease and tooth loss—Smoking weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight gum infections. This can lead to gum disease and tooth loss

Snus—Potential Health Risks

Snus uses pasteurized tobacco, which lowers TSNA levels compared to cigarettes. However, these levels are still significant and may pose health risks. While research is often contradictory, most studies agree that regular snus consumption can increase the risk of several cancers, including esophageal, pancreatic, stomach, and rectal cancer.

Regular snus use may also increase the likelihood of other health problems, including:

• Type 2 diabetes—Some studies suggest that snus use may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome—According to the American Heart Association, frequent snus use increases the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome, which can lead to coronary disease, diabetes, and stroke
• Asthma—Regular snus consumption increases the risk of developing asthma and snoring, according to a recent large-scale study
• Gingivitis—The tobacco in snus can cause gum irritation and gingivitis, leading to gum swelling, sensitive or loose teeth, and receding gums

Most studies find these risks to be much lower for snus users than for smokers. If you’re switching from cigarettes to snus, you may be reducing your overall health risks, but snus isn’t entirely risk-free.

Additional Snus and Cigarette Differences

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Besides the significant difference in health risks, snus and cigarettes differ in several other important ways, including:

1. Impact on stamina
2. Convenience
3. Discretion
4. Environmental impact

Impact on Stamina

Regularly inhaling cigarette smoke causes tar buildup in the lungs, leading to reduced stamina. Switching to snus allows your lungs to begin clearing the tar, gradually restoring their full capacity.

Smokers also suffer from lower blood oxygen levels caused by high levels of carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke. Once you stop smoking, your blood oxygenation improves quickly, making you more energetic.

Convenience

Snus is one of the most convenient ways of enjoying tobacco—it’s hands-free and doesn’t require lighters, ashtrays, coils, batteries, or charging cables. Unlike most oral tobacco products, such as dip and chewing tobacco, snus is spitless.

To use snus, place a portion of loose snus or a snus pouch under your upper lip and enjoy a steady dose of nicotine and flavor that can last up to an hour.

Discretion

Snus products don’t produce smoke, making them more acceptable in public places where smoking and vaping are prohibited.

Snus pouches also come in several compact formats that don’t create noticeable bulges under your lip, making them unnoticeable to those around you.

Minimal Environmental Impact

Source: Polifoto

Cigarettes are a significant source of air contamination, generating 10 times more pollution than diesel car exhaust. Second-hand smoke poses significant health risks to both smokers and non-smokers, potentially causing several health issues.

In contrast, snus products have a minimal ecological footprint, being fully biodegradable, making them a more environmentally friendly choice.

Is Snus Stronger Than Cigarettes?

Most snus products have higher nicotine strengths compared to cigarettes, ranging from 4 to 45 mg/g. When using snus, your body typically absorbs about a third of its total nicotine content.

Snus nicotine strengths typically fall into these categories:

In comparison, a typical cigarette contains 12 mg of nicotine, but you only absorb 1–2 mg per cigarette.

Snus and cigarettes also deliver nicotine differently. A cigarette provides an immediate nicotine hit that fades quickly, while snus delivers a more gradual and prolonged experience, lasting up to two hours per use. This sustained delivery can feel stronger to users, even if the absorption rates differ.

Can You Use Snus To Quit Smoking?

Many former smokers have quit cigarettes by using snus as an alternative. One large-scale study of 10,441 smokers from Norway found that using snus significantly increased the chances of quitting smoking.

Snus allows you to avoid the harmful effects of tobacco smoke while minimizing withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting tobacco.

Still, because snus contains ground tobacco leaves, it isn’t suitable for those seeking a tobacco-free lifestyle. If you want to quit tobacco altogether, consider nicotine pouches or one of the FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies, including:

• Nicotine patches
• Nicotine tablets
• Nicotine lozenges
• Nicotine gum
• Nicotine inhalers
• Bupropion (Zyban)
• Varenicline (Champix)

Can a Doctor Tell the Difference Between Using Cigarettes and Snus?

Yes, doctors can tell whether you’re using cigarettes or snus. To determine if you’re a smoker, doctors look for signs like:

• Respiratory issues (e.g., wheezing or difficulty breathing)
• Elevated carbon monoxide levels in your breath
• Chest X-rays to check for lung damage

If the results confirm that you’re not a smoker, doctors can look for signs of oral tobacco use by testing your saliva, blood, urine, or hair for nicotine.

The two most common tests to determine previous nicotine exposure are:

1. Nicotine testing—A test that measures blood nicotine levels. It’s often unreliable as nicotine can be detected for only a few hours after consumption
2. Cotinine testing—A more reliable method for detecting nicotine. When nicotine enters your body, the lungs, kidneys, and liver metabolize it into cotinine, detectable for several days after initial exposure

Nicotine Pouches—Safer Than Cigarettes and Snus

Source: SnusBoss

While safer than smoking, snus isn’t nearly as safe as nicotine pouches, which are 100% tobacco-free. Nicopods, as they’re also known, offer one of the cleanest and safest ways of enjoying nicotine, eliminating most of the health risks associated with tobacco.

Instead of tobacco, nicotine pouches contain food-grade ingredients and pharmaceutical nicotine, which isn’t carcinogenic.

The Benefits of Nicotine Pouches

Here are the top five benefits of switching to nicotine pouches:

1. More strengths and flavors—Nicotine pouches offer unmatched customization, with strengths ranging from 3 mg/g for mild nicopods to as high as 50 mg/g for the strongest options. They also come in various flavors without the strong tobacco taste found in snus
2. High absorption rates—With absorption rates of up to 50%, nicotine pouches are the most efficient nicotine delivery method available
3. No teeth stains—Unlike snus and cigarettes, nicotine pouches don’t cause teeth stains, helping you keep a bright smile and fresh breath
4. Longer shelf life—Nicopods have a considerably longer shelf life than snus, lasting up to a year from the production date
5. Available everywhere—Unlike snus, which is banned in many regions, nicotine pouches are available worldwide

How To Use Nicotine Pouches

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To use a nicotine pouch, follow these simple steps:

1. Place a single pouch between your gums and upper lip
2. Let it sit for 5–45 minutes, depending on the brand and your nicotine tolerance. Don’t chew, suck, or swallow the pouch
3. Once you feel satisfied, stop using the pouch and throw it away

Get Premium EU-Made Nicotine Pouches From SnusBoss

Visit the SnusBoss store to find some of the best nicotine pouches on the market. Run by industry experts, SnusBoss offers high-quality European nicotine pouches known for their rich flavors, high moisture, and intense nicotine buzz that lasts for hours.

Check out the table below for the full selection of 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. Shipping is free for orders above $249.

Featured image source: Lazare