Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that originated from a variant of dry snuff in early 18th-century Sweden. It is placed between the upper lip and gum for extended periods, as a form of sublabial administration. Snus comes in two forms: loose snus and portioned snus. Loose snus is a moist powder that can be portioned and packed into a cylindrical or spherical shape with the fingertips or a purpose-made cylindrical device. Portioned snus comes in small sachets that are pre-portioned and ready to use. Snus is not fermented, and it is made by air-curing tobacco, which is then ground, mixed with salt and water, and processed under strict quality and regulatory controls using a technique similar to pasteurization.
Snus is a less harmful alternative to cigarette smoking, but it is not safe. Snus does not cause cancer, but it may cause a slight increase in cardiovascular risks. Snus is dependence-forming, and it keeps people smoking who might otherwise quit. However, snus has become a substitute for smoking, particularly among men. The UK Royal College of Physicians has stated that snus as an alternative to cigarettes has the potential to deliver enormous harm reduction benefits.
