How To Use Snus—A Step-by-Step Guide

Widely known as a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes, snus is an oral tobacco product people have used to manage nicotine cravings ever since the 18th century. Today, more and more people are turning to snus, thanks to its convenience, discreet nature, and perceived harm reduction compared to cigarettes.

If you’re a former smoker or new to oral tobacco products, you may be wondering—how does snus work? This comprehensive guide will show you how to use snus like a pro and introduce a healthier alternative for getting your nicotine fix.

How To Use Snus Properly

Snus comes in two forms: loose and portioned, catering to different user needs and preferences. In the following sections, we’ll walk you through the process of using both, explain how they work, and give you step-by-step usage instructions.

How To Use Loose Snus

Loose snus is moist, finely ground tobacco that comes in cans. If you are using it for the first time, read the following instructions to get started:

1. Carefully open the can to reveal its contents
2. Grab a pinch of loose tobacco powder from the can
3. Place it gently under your upper lip, slightly off to the side
4. Let it sit there between 5–60 minutes. How long you’ll keep it in your mouth depends on personal preference
5. Once you’re feeling satisfied, slowly remove the used tobacco powder from your mouth
6. Discard it responsibly and keep it away from children or animals

How To Use Portioned Snus

Portioned snus is more convenient to use. It contains ground tobacco pre-packed in small, ready-to-use pouches. Unlike loose snus, there’s no need to measure or pinch the tobacco.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the can by twisting the lid or following the manufacturer’s instructions
2. Use your thumb and index finger to grab a fresh pouch from the can
3. Carefully place the pouch between your gums and the upper lip
4. Leave it in place for between 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the product
5. Remove the pouch from your mouth once you’re finished using it
6. Dispose of it properly in the trash

How Does Snus Work?

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While snus comes in two forms, the portioned option is the more popular choice due to its convenience and consistency. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

1. You place a pouch of snus between your gums and your cheek
2. Saliva moistens the snus, which starts to release nicotine slowly
3. You absorb nicotine into your bloodstream through the lining of your mouth
4. Shortly after, nicotine reaches your brain and interacts with nicotine receptors, boosting your mood and alertness

Common Questions About Snus

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The following sections tackle some of the more frequent questions and concerns that users new to snus may have, such as:

1. Do you have to spit with snus?
2. Can you chew snus?
3. What happens if you swallow snus?

Do You Have To Spit With Snus?

Unlike other oral tobacco products like dip pouches or chewing tobacco, you don’t need to spit with snus. Whether portioned or loose, snus doesn’t produce much saliva or release juices like chewing tobacco, so you can swallow while using it.

Can You Chew Snus?

You shouldn’t chew or suck on snus. It’s designed to rest comfortably under your upper lip and release its contents gradually. 

Chewing or sucking won’t make snus work faster. Portioned snus might break open, loose snus may spread all over your mouth, and if you swallow it, it could irritate your stomach or throat.

What Happens if You Swallow Snus?

Whether loose or portioned, snus is meant to be placed under your upper lip, not swallowed. Like chewing or sucking on it, swallowing snus won’t make the experience any better. 

It might lead to some unpleasant side effects, including:

• Stomach ache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If you accidentally swallow snus and experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to seek medical attention.

Common Health Risks Associated With Snus

Since snus doesn’t involve combustion or smoke, it has considerably fewer risks compared to cigarettes, which contain nearly 70 carcinogenic chemicals. Studies show that switching to snus significantly reduces the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. 

Still, research reveals that prolonged snus usage brings a higher likelihood of various types of cancer as well as a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

For a comprehensive list of health issues caused by snus, see the table below:

Nicotine Pouches—A Safer, Tobacco-Free Alternative

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Nicotine pouches are designed to give you all the benefits of nicotine (and snus) without tobacco. Eliminating exposure to tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) and other harmful chemicals found in tobacco, they only contain plant-based cellulose, food-grade ingredients, and pharmaceutical-grade nicotine.

What’s more, nicopods are used similarly to portioned snus, offering a convenient and discreet way to enjoy nicotine.

Besides carrying minimal health risks, nicotine pouches also offer many other advantages, including:

1. Wider potency range
2. Better nicotine absorption rates
3. Wider variety of flavors

Higher Range of Nicotine Strengths

Snus strength is limited by its tobacco content, typically ranging from 8 mg/g to 22 mg/g. This makes it tricky for beginners to find a comfortable dose. 

Nicotine pouches, on the other hand, are free of tobacco. Manufacturers can directly control the amount of nicotine added, offering a much wider range of strengths. This allows beginners to start with a low dose and experienced users to choose between stronger options. 

For an overview of different strength categories and the type of user they’re best for, check out the table below:

And for those who want to enjoy their amazing flavors without the nicotine content, there are even nicotine-free options that you can get. 

Better Nicotine Absorption Rates

Nicotine absorption plays an important part in your overall satisfaction with a product. In the case of snus vs nicotine pouches, nicopods have a considerable advantage. 

They have the highest absorption rates of all nicotine products on the market, ranging up to 50%. This is considerably higher than snus, which lets you absorb around 30% of its total nicotine content.

Wider Variety of Flavors

While flavored snus exists, flavor options are mostly limited. As snus’ taste primarily comes from tobacco, some users might find it unappealing and overwhelming. Nicotine pouches, on the other hand, offer a wider variety of flavors. 

Thanks to their tobacco-free design, nicopods don’t contain the overpowering tobacco aroma and aftertaste. Whether you prefer traditional flavors or something more adventurous, there’s a nicotine pouch for everyone’s taste. Below is only a glimpse of the diverse nicopod flavor options available:

• Hit Blackberry
• Killa Dry Banana Ice
• Klint Honeymelon
• Kurwa Fatality Cactus Apple
• Pik Belgian Coffee
• Denssi Strawberry Freeze
• Dope Ice Mango

Where Can You Get Premium Nicotine Pouches?

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An online vendor of top-quality nicotine pouches, SnusBoss sources nicopods made in the EU, guaranteeing a superior nicotine experience. Due to the EU’s progressive laws on nicopod production, European nicotine pouch manufacturers continue producing pouches superior to U.S. ones. EU-crafted nicopods give you more moisture, intense flavors, and a stronger buzz.

SnusBoss online store is led by a team of seasoned experts with decades of experience. They personally ensure each nicotine pouch meets the highest standards of quality and safety.

Besides household names like ZYN and Velo, SnusBoss offers an amazing variety of the world’s best-selling nicotine pouch brands for you to enjoy, including:

To order your favorite brand of nicopods from SnusBoss, follow these easy steps:

1. Visit the online store
2. Pick your favorite brand, flavor, and strength
3. Fill in your shipping and payment info

Choose express shipping for a faster delivery to get your shipment in 2–3 business days. For orders above $249, shipping is free.

Use Nicotine Pouches Responsibly

To avoid potential side effects, use nicotine pouches properly. Keep your daily dose in check to avoid the risk of nicotine overuse. 

If you’re new to nicotine pouches, always start with a milder product and gradually move on to stronger pouches until you find the strength that works best for you. To avoid negative reactions to nicopods, make sure to drink plenty of fluids and take one to two-hour breaks between sessions.

Refrain from using nicotine pouches if you’re:

• Under 21 years of age
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Suffer from a cardiovascular condition

If you’ve never used a nicotine product before, avoid nicotine pouches. When used regularly, nicotine causes strong addiction.

Featured image source: abvrockgroup