Snus: The Smokeless Tobacco

Smoking is dangerous for your health. This is a very popular statement or slogan nowadays everywhere in the world and it is supported with research and statements from other people who used to smoke a lot and has died from lung cancer. 

Even though a lot of people already know it’s dangerous, there are still some people even in our city who continues to smoke especially those with stressful workload. They usually spend their breaks on smoking to relieve stress and ironically “to breathe.”  But if we look into it further, it’s not really the cigarette smoke that’s addicting or that’s helping the person to “relax,” but it’s actually the nicotine the cigarette contains. So what if there is a product out there that gives you the satisfaction that the nicotine gives, but minus the bad effects of cigarettes which means no smoke and definitely no spitting involved? Well, in Sweden, they have been using this smokeless tobacco since the 18th century and it's called the snus. 

What is Snus

Snus (pronounced "snoose," like “loose”) a smokeless tobacco pouch, offers an alternative to things like smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Snus pouches are flavored (or unflavored depending on your preference) tobacco pouches that you place under your upper lip. Once in position, the snus discretely releases the tobacco within, providing the user with the same nicotine buzz as other methods, but without any of the unpleasant side effects associated with something like smoking.

Is It Safe to Use

“Compared to cigarette smoking, the use of snus is probably less harmful,” says Michael Steinberg, MD, MPH, director of the tobacco dependence program at Rutgers University. “But there’s a big difference between ‘less harmful’ and safe.”  I mean let’s face it. It is still a tobacco product . But just like everything else, like sugar, you have to take it in moderation. If you take too much, you’ll definitely get sick one way or the other. 

So if you don’t burn it or if you don’t have to spit it, the possibilities are endless. You can take it in places where smoking is usually prohibited like in the opera house, movie house, museums, library, or even while attending a mass in Church. You can also watch your child’s play in school while using it since you’re not harming anybody. Personally, I'm not really a fan of tobacco, but I do know a lot of people who are struggling to stop smoking and this is probably one baby step for them to quit.