With approximately 106,000 people in Thailand succumbing to smoking-related illnesses annually, there’s a growing interest in alternatives for a safer option. For many, Swedish snus (pronounced snoose, rhyming with goose) emerges as a promising choice. This traditional Scandinavian tobacco product, packed in small pouches, is gaining traction as it offers a discreet and smokeless method of consuming nicotine.
Swedish snus isn’t a recent innovation; it has been part of Swedish culture since the 18th century. Amid ongoing debates about safer alternatives to conventional cigarettes, its popularity in Thailand is on the rise, with brands like Haypee offering diverse types and flavors. Some opt for snus due to its perceived lower harm, while others appreciate its discretion. But is it truly a viable substitute for smoking in Thailand? Here’s an exploration of Swedish snus.
Considered one of the earliest novel tobacco products, Swedish snus predates alternatives like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco by centuries. This smokeless tobacco undergoes a process of pasteurization, where ground tobacco is treated with salts, water, alkali, and natural flavors before being portioned into pouches resembling tiny tea bags. Some varieties are also available in loose form.
In Thailand, brands like Haypee infuse snus with flavors like berry, lemon, mango, coconut, bergamot, and licorice to enhance the taste.
Using Swedish snus involves placing a pouch between the upper lip and gum, allowing nicotine absorption through the mouth’s mucous membranes into the bloodstream. The duration of pouch retention depends on personal preference and nicotine tolerance, ranging from minutes to an hour. After use, the pouch is disposed of.
Differentiating itself from other oral tobacco products, Swedish snus’s pasteurization process significantly reduces carcinogenic substances, known as TSNAs (Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines), making it a potentially less harmful option. Unlike snuff, another oral tobacco product typically sniffed, snus is placed in the lip without inducing excessive salivation, unlike American dipping tobacco. While snus still contains nicotine and carries risks of addiction, its harm profile is notably lower than that of cigarettes, as it doesn’t involve combustion, hence lacks harmful tar and various carcinogens.
Research suggests that Swedish snus might aid in smoking cessation, with over half of Swedish snus users being former smokers. Studies indicate significant risk reduction for respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers compared to cigarette smoking.
However, moderation is key, as with any adult stimulant. While Swedish snus presents a promising alternative, it’s vital to recognize that “less harmful” doesn’t equate to healthy.
