| Tobacco was introduced to Europe by | | | | Apart from Sweden, where it is extremely |
| Christopher Columbus. Since then several | | | | popular, snus has yet to prove its success in |
| tobacco products appeared, with the | | | | other parts of the world. It has only |
| cigarettes being the most famous ones. | | | | recently been introduced in North America, |
| Swedish snus is a type of tobacco that first | | | | with no important feedback from consumers |
| appeared in the 16th century. Since then it | | | | yet. This may be caused by the strong snuff |
| has had a high quality that cannot be found | | | | tradition in North America (tobacco that is |
| anywhere else; as well as that, Swedish snus | | | | sniffed up the nose) or by the health issues |
| is distinctive from any nasal snuff products | | | | concerning this product. |
| that are used anywhere else in the world. | | | | |
| | | | Having a history of 200 years, snus demand |
| There are two types of snus: loose and | | | | fell during the fifties and sixties; however, |
| portion packed. Both of these types can come | | | | in 1969 smokeless tobacco consumption rose |
| in a variety of flavors. All Swedish snus is | | | | again, making it a healthier alternative to |
| made from tobaccos that are carefully | | | | smoking. As people became more and more aware |
| selected and air - cured, water, salt and, if | | | | of the dangers of smoking, snus became the |
| necessary, different flavor additives; it is | | | | majority's choice, with more than half of |
| usually pasteurized during a heat treatment | | | | Swedish snus users being former smokers. Less |
| process according to food requirements. This | | | | than 10 percent of snus users are women. |
| allows for the microorganisms to be | | | | |
| neutralized and for the tobacco to stay fresh | | | | As there have been a lot of concerns about |
| for a longer period of time. | | | | the effects of snus, numerous studies |
| | | | regarding this product have been published |
| Due to tough regulations, Swedish snus is | | | | lately. The conclusion of the Swedish Board |
| regarded as a food product; this is why | | | | of Health is that the risks of using |
| factories have to comply with the Swedish | | | | smokeless tobacco are less than those |
| sanitation requirements. As a result, all the | | | | associated with traditional smoking. However, |
| additives that are used in the making process | | | | it is said that smokeless tobacco is |
| are approved as food additives. All stages of | | | | associated with mouth and gum cancer, making |
| production follows strict procedures, making | | | | people to ask themselves what they would |
| sure that Swedish snus meets the high | | | | choose: getting lung cancer from smoking, or |
| standards it is known for. | | | | getting gum cancer from using smokeless |
| | | | tobacco? |