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Is Snus Better Than Smoking? Nicotine Replacement & Safety Guide
Erik Rosengren - Snusexpert
31 January, 2022
8 min

Is Snus Better Than Smoking? Nicotine Replacement & Safety Guide

Yes, Swedish snus is much better than smoking because it does not produce smoke and saves you from the health risks of cigarettes. Cigarette smoke is well known for its carcinogenic effects, which is a dire and major health risk.

Swedish snus also has multiple other benefits which make it a better choice than smoking. We'll look at all of these benefits in detail and discern how snus compares to cigarettes. We'll also look at ways that you can use to substitute cigarettes with snus.

Quick Overview of Snus vs Cigarettes

  Snus  Cigarettes
Contains Tobacco Yes Yes
Contain Nicotine Yes Yes
Is Addictive Yes Yes
COPD and CVD Issues No Yes
Second-Hand Issues No Yes
Environmental Impact Minimal 84 Million Tonnes of CO2

How is Snus Better than Smoking?

The biggest reason snus is better than smoking is because it keeps you away from cigarettes. Snus contains a copious amount of nicotine which keeps your cigarette cravings at bay. However, multiple other reasons make it better than smoking:

Lower Cancer Risk

Cigarettes have over 7000 toxins, some of which can cause cancer and multiple other problems. Some of the biggest carcinogens in cigarettes include PAH, N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, 1,3-butadiene, aldehydes, benzene, and ethylene oxide.

When you inhale super-heated smoke, these carcinogens settle in different parts of your body, causing mutations. Overall, you can find carcinogens in a smoker's lungs, liver, mouth, and other important organs.

Snus is a smokeless tobacco product, so you won't have to worry about lung cancer or other heated carcinogens affecting your body. A 2020 research published by SAGE and cited by the EU Parliament also states that snus is not relevant to oral cancers, despite popular perception.

Better Stamina

One major downside of consistent smoking is the overall breakdown of stamina. When you smoke, the overall oxygen that your blood can carry decreases because of Carbon Monoxide burdens. It leads to lower oxygenation and thinning arteries.

People who smoke cigarettes more often also have a build-up of tar and mucus in their lungs and bronchi. It's why players and athletes often avoid cigarettes. Alternatively, it's also one of the main reasons why smokers have poor stamina.

Smokeless tobacco users do not have to worry about this. Nicotine pouches and snus have a favorable effect on exercise and physical activities.

Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

There is a significantly lower association between snus use and cardiovascular diseases compared to smoking. Research published in BioMed Central states that there is a much weaker correlation between snus and cardiovascular diseases than that observed with smoking.

There are multiple types of research that validate the connection between cigarettes and cardiovascular problems like COPD and CVD. According to the CDC, cigarettes are a major reason for deaths related to CVD.

The smoke in cigarettes thins the arteries and increases the carbon monoxide levels in the blood. It leads to multiple cardiovascular problems, including irritated bronchi and increased mucus.

Easier to Use

Cigarettes are harder to use because they have more risks. They produce smoke which can significantly affect the people around you. These effects are even more pronounced on infants, which increases infant mortality.

Cigarettes are also limited by their usability and public health laws. For example, you cannot smoke in an open space in certain countries. The use of snus is not limited by any such problems.

Most snus comes in small portions that can be used easily in any situation. You can use snus on a plane, subway, or anywhere. Their usability makes them a great harm reduction compared to vapes and chewing tobacco.

Environmental Impacts of Snus vs Cigarettes

Cigarettes have a dire effect on the environment. Research published by the WHO (World Health Organization) states that roughly 4.5 trillion cigarette filters pollute water sources, beaches, and public areas every year.

According to their Tobacco Environmental Research report, the tobacco product industry causes the deforestation of 600 million trees. The cigarette industry is also responsible for a direct carbon impact of 84 million tonnes.

Snus is much safer and more environment-friendly compared to cigarettes. All snus portions come in plant-fiber pouches that easily dissolve in the soil. The snus industry is also taking steps to make their cans more sustainable and reusable. However, it's worth noting that the production and disposal of snus products still have some environmental impact, albeit significantly less than cigarettes.

snus benefits compared to smoking

Benefits of Snus Compared to Smoking

Snus has multiple benefits compared to cigarettes, the biggest of which is help in smoking cessation. By using snus as a viable alternative to cigarettes, smokers can avoid all the bad effects of cigarettes.

Furthermore, snus is much easier to use, which makes it much better to quit smoking habits. Snus also has much better categorizations in terms of nicotine levels, which makes it much more specialized.

Here are 4 other benefits of snus:

  • Better Nicotine Buzz
  • Increased Attention and Awareness
  • Easier to Use
  • No Tobacco Smoke

Impacts of Snus by Regions

The easiest way to understand the benefits of snus is to look at regions where snus use is prevalent. Sweden, the center of the snus world, has the most snus users in the EU, because of their tradition.

Consequently, Sweden also has the lowest smoking rate in the EU. Naturally, Sweden has the lowest rate of lung cancer in the EU. According to Statista, Sweden had the lowest incidence of lung cancer.

Impact of Snus in Sports

The use of smokeless tobacco has become popular amongst professional football, rugby, and baseball players. This popularity can be attributed to the benefits of snus compared to cigarettes.

Since cigarettes affect stamina and other aspects, players prefer a more discreet alternative like snus. Research conducted by the PFA states that more than 50% of male and female players admitted to the use of snus and nicotine pouches.

Snus Vs Cigarettes: Death Toll

According to the CDC, cigarettes are the main cause of 80% of COPD deaths. Cigarettes cause over 8 million deaths each year, and cause diseases like lung cancer, pulmonary problems, and various tumors.

Research published in the NCBI clarifies that mothers who smoke have an increased 30% chance of infant mortality. Secondhand smoke is also a leading cause of various diseases and deaths among children.

Snus use has shown significantly lower correlation with infant mortality or adult deaths compared to smoking. While research is limited on the topic, the research used by the Europa Parliament states that there is no correlation between snus and cancer.

Does Snus Have Health Risks?

Yes, snus has multiple health risks, mainly because of tobacco. For starters, snus contains nicotine, which is an addictive stimulant chemical. It can significantly alter your mood and wire your brain to doses of nicotine. While snus is generally considered less harmful than smoking, it's important to note that it's not entirely risk-free.

Prolonged smokeless tobacco use can cause:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Agitation
  • Fecal Movement Imbalance
  • Gut Microbe Imbalance
  • Dry Mouth

Another major health risk is a nicotine overdose. New users might use snus pouches that are too strong, leading to nicotine poisoning. While snus is less harmful than cigarettes, it is still important to use them with care and caution.

Snus use may also lead to some oral health issues. Long-term users might experience gum recession or tooth discoloration. It's advisable to maintain good oral hygiene and have regular dental check-ups if you use snus.

can snus help stop smoking

Can Snus Help Quit Smoking?

Yes, snus can help you quit smoking. Because of the varying nicotine levels and enticing flavors, smokers can easily replace cigarettes with snus. Research in the NCBI states that snus use was correlated with smoking recession.

Current snus users and former smokers have reported lower cravings because of snus. However, it's important to remember that snus is very addictive and won't free you from nicotine dependence.

Daily snus users may experience the health effects of snus even more intensely. Momentary or prolonged withdrawal from snus products could cause intense agitation, brain fog, and other negative effects.

How to Use Snus to Quit Smoking?

Here's a three-step plan to help you quit smoking with snus:

  1. Choose a Suitable Snus: Using a Snus according to your tolerance levels is a great way to quit smoking, without any negative effects like nicotine overdose.
  2. Select an Itinerary: Breaking the triggers for a smoking addiction is the hardest part. Identify the triggers that compel you to smoke, for example, the times, actions, and urges. Replace those actions with snus.
  3. Use Snus at the Right Time: Use Snus portions whenever you feel the urge to smoke. It will keep your cravings at bay and help you quit smoking more effectively.

While these steps can help, quitting any tobacco product requires great perseverance, willpower, and dedication.

Choosing a Snus for Cigarette Recession

Here's a quick guide to choosing snus portion strengths to quit cigarettes:

Cigarette Consumption Snus Portion Strength
1 to 3 Cigarettes Per Day 4 to 8 mg Per Pouch
4 to 10 Cigarettes Per Day 9 to 13 mg per Pouch
11 to 15 Cigarettes Per Day 14 to 20 mg Per Pouch
More than One Pack Per Day 20 mg Per Pouch

For the best experience, we recommend starting with snus for beginners. It will help you gauge your tolerance. So for example, if you don't feel the urge to smoke after using a 4 mg snus portion, stick to that. Do not move to stronger pouches.

Conclusion: Snus is Better than Smoking

Snus is undoubtedly better than smoking because it's an easy alternative to cigarettes. By using snus, daily smokers can reduce the risk of lung cancer, COPD, CVD, and other health problems.

Snus also has multiple benefits like increased awareness and attention, which make them much better than cigarettes. These portions are also easier to use, which makes them a much better alternative to cigarettes.

Order your snus portions today with Snusdaddy. We offer the lowest prices and the best discounts on all our snus portions. Buy snus online with Snusdaddy and quit cigarettes today.

Certainly, we may also be wrong. Either way, our .com site offers a wider variety of products available to customers shopping from outsite of Europe, including a grand assortment of Swedish snus with tobacco.