Snus and Health: A Review of the Literature on the Impact of Swedish Smokeless Tobacco on the Human Body

Abstract

Introduction: Snus is a tobacco-containing product particularly popular in Scandinavian countries. It comes in the form of a pouch filled with tobacco, which is typically placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the mucous membrane. Due to the absence of combustion during snus use—and consequently the lack of substances produced by this process—many manufacturers claim that snus is a healthier alternative to cigarettes. The aim of this article is to review scientific studies examining the effects of snus on the human body and to objectively summarize its impact on human health. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by collecting scientific articles from the PubMed database and other online scientific databases. The articles were identified using keywords such as "snus," "smokeless tobacco," and "snus health impact." Results: Snus cannot be considered a healthier alternative to tobacco use. While it does not cause many of the diseases associated with smoking and the toxic compounds produced during combustion, it is still addictive and contributes to other health issues caused by the substances it contains and the way it is consumed. This product requires more detailed scientific research.

Keywords

• snus
• smokeless tabacco
• health impact
• nicotine pouch