For public health advocates, knowing these health implications of snus is key to providing accurate and realistic alternatives to smoking. Snus is less harmful for respiratory diseases compared to smoking. We need to recognize its own health harms. Below, I’ve laid out the main areas of impact to give you the big picture.
Cardiovascular Health Risks
Whether delivered through snus or in another form, nicotine can have serious negative impacts on your cardiovascular system. It’s not without risk, as it stimulates your sympathetic nervous system causing adverse effects on heart rate and blood pressure.
Further research indicates that use of snus can increase risk of heart failure (adjusted hazard ratio 1.28). Regular use of snus is linked to hypertension and increased triglycerides. Individuals who smoke more than four cans per week have OR’s of 1.6 and 1.7, respectively.
Additionally, there is a 1.32 times greater risk of stroke. For those who’ve already suffered a heart attack, quitting snus can more than halve your risk of premature death. In reality, it can reduce that risk by 50% within as little as two years.
Keeping an eye on cardiovascular health, getting exercise, and eating a healthy diet are all especially important if you use snus.
Oral Health Concerns
Because snus is placed up against your gums, long-term use can increase your risk of gum disease and other oral mucosal lesions. It’s further implicated in dental caries in part due to its unique chemical composition.
Keeping up with oral hygiene routines such as brushing and flossing their teeth twice a day and regularly using mouthwash will reduce these chances. Scheduling regularly occurring dental cleanings and using fluoride toothpaste are realistic measures that can be taken to prevent further harm.
Nicotine Dependence Potential
Any product that delivers nicotine has the potential to cause nicotine dependence. Signs such as strong cravings or withdrawal symptoms reveal that an addiction has formed.
In all things, moderation is essential. Cutting down slowly and enjoying the experience in the process is best. Chewing a piece of gum or looking for help from their support system might work at overcoming those cravings.
Snus as a Harm Reduction Tool
As a lower-risk product, snus has become recognized as an alternative to cigarettes for smokers wanting to quit or reduce their use of tobacco. Snus is a form of smokeless tobacco that you keep in between your gum line and lip. Unlike combustible cigarettes, it provides nicotine free from the harmful byproducts of ignition.
We’ve recently heard much about its use, particularly in countries such as Sweden, where it is one of the most effective harm reduction strategies. Nobody denies that quitting smoking is hard – below, we take a look at how snus as part of a larger smoking cessation and harm reduction picture.
Snus vs. Smoking: A Comparison
Both of these concerns are addressed quite differently from smoking with snus, in that their health impacts and user experience is fundamentally different. The table below highlights these differences:
Aspect
Snus
Smoking
Health Risks
Lower risk of lung cancer and heart issues
High risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses
Nicotine Delivery
Absorbed through the gum; up to 40 mg/g available
Inhaled through smoke; variable delivery depending on cigarette strength
Combustion
None
Involves burning tobacco
Toxins Released
Minimal
High levels of harmful chemicals
One of snus’ most unique selling points is its lack of combustion. Smoking delivers over 7,000 harmful toxins directly into the lungs, greatly raising the risk of lung cancer. Snus circumvents this completely, providing smoke-free nicotine delivery.
For example, a heavy smoker may switch to a high-strength snus product (up to 40 mg/g), satisfying nicotine needs while significantly reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.
Potential Benefits Over Smoking
Snus is convenient and discreet, since its use does not involve smoke, an odor, and does not require a lighter. That makes it conducive to use in places that restrict smoking. Research has confirmed that the use of snus offers significantly reduced health risks than those posed by smoking.
Support for harm reduction is evident. For example, the U.S. FDA has authorized several snus products for sale with modified risk marketing, recognizing their lower risk potential. Sweden’s success in reducing smoking rates as a result of widespread snus use only serves to reaffirm snus’s effectiveness.
Anecdotes from former smokers often highlight how snus helped ease their transition, particularly for younger users, with 12% of women aged 16-24 using snus daily.
Role in Smoking Cessation
For those who cannot or do not want to quit smoking, snus can provide a convenient and effective option. This makes it effective for withdrawal symptom management through consistent nicotine intake, a key factor for use among heavy smokers.
In comparison, the data from these recent studies suggest that snus is a more effective alternative than nicotine gum. In reality, just 26.8% of gum users succeed in their smoking cessation.
We think snus is most effective when used in conjunction with a plan that addresses overall cessation, with an emphasis on lifestyle changes and professional support. Gradual use reduction over time leads to more people quitting nicotine completely while reducing the harms associated with smoking or other tobacco products
