What is Snus?

If you have been browsing nicotine pouches in the UK, chances are you have heard the word snus used a lot. Some people use it casually to mean any small pouch that sits under the lip. Others think it is just another name for nicotine pouches. The reality is a bit more interesting, and very Swedish.

Let’s start at the beginning.

The origins of snus

Snus comes from Sweden and has been around in some form for over 200 years. It is a smokeless tobacco product made from finely ground tobacco, water and salt. Unlike chewing tobacco, snus is pasteurised rather than fermented, which gives it a different flavour profile and significantly lower levels of certain harmful byproducts.

Traditional snus is placed under the upper lip, where it releases nicotine slowly without producing smoke. This method of use is a big part of Swedish culture and has been for generations. You will see it everywhere in Sweden, from building sites to boardrooms.

One of the reasons snus gets talked about so much is Sweden’s smoking rates. They are among the lowest in Europe, and many researchers believe snus has played a major role by offering smokers a far less harmful alternative to cigarettes.

Why snus is not legal in the UK

Here is where things get a little confusing.

Tobacco snus is legal to sell in Sweden, but it is banned for sale across the rest of the EU and the UK. This ban applies specifically to tobacco containing snus. You cannot legally buy or sell it in the UK, even though people often talk about it online or bring it up in discussions about harm reduction.

That does not mean the idea behind snus disappeared. In fact, it sparked something new.

Enter nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches are the modern, tobacco free evolution of snus. They look similar and are used in the same way, under the upper lip, but they contain no tobacco at all. Instead, they use nicotine extracted from tobacco or synthetically produced, combined with plant based fibres, flavourings and sweeteners.

Because they are tobacco free, nicotine pouches are legal to sell in the UK. They do not produce smoke, vapour or ash, and there is no smell lingering on clothes or in rooms. For many adult smokers, they offer a practical and discreet alternative.

Why people in the UK still say snus

In everyday conversation, many people in the UK use the word snus to describe nicotine pouches. It has become a catch all term, even though it is not technically correct.

This usually happens for three reasons.

• Nicotine pouches were inspired by snus, so the association feels natural
• The products look and are used in a very similar way
• Snus has built a reputation as a less harmful alternative to smoking, and people often carry that reputation across when talking about nicotine pouches

So if someone says they use snus in the UK, they almost always mean nicotine pouches, not traditional Swedish tobacco snus.

Looking ahead

Nicotine pouches are part of a wider shift away from smoking and towards lower risk alternatives. They are not risk free, and they are strictly for adult nicotine users, but for many people they represent a positive step.

Understanding where they came from helps cut through the confusion. Snus is the Swedish original, rooted in history and tobacco. Nicotine pouches are the modern, legal, tobacco free option available here in the UK.

Different products, different rules, but a shared goal. Giving adults better choices.

If you are curious, explore responsibly, start low, and find what works for you.