Heysnus is a Swedish smokeless tobacco product that is placed between the upper lip and gum. It is made from fire-cured tobacco, and is often sold in flavored pre-packaged pouches. Unlike chewing tobacco or dipping, the tobacco in snus is not moistened, and the nicotine is released from it much slower than from a cigarette. In addition, snus does not cause stomach upset like cigarettes do.
Snuses are typically sold in small portions, and most brands disclose the net weight of each portion on the package. Portions come in mini, normal/large and maxi sizes, with the average size being 0.7 to 1 g of tobacco.
Exploring the Global Appeal of Snus: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
Compared to a cigarette, snus contains less than half the amount of smoke, and it produces no carbon monoxide. Snus also does not produce any nitrosamines (which are carcinogenic) and is generally regarded to be far safer than smoking.
Studies have shown that snus can be an effective aid in reducing tobacco consumption and may even help smokers quit smoking. A study [110] which retrospectively examined the correlation between snus use and smoking cessation found that daily snus users were more likely to quit than those who did not use snus.
Snus is a major reason why Sweden has the lowest rates of smoking-related diseases in Europe. The same study [110] showed that dual snus and cigarette use resulted in a similar number of smokers quitting daily smoking, but more than eight out of every ten smokers who started using snus stopped all forms of tobacco altogether. This suggests that snus can act as a stepping stone to quitting smoking.