Snus Addiction
Smoking rates have decreased in recent years, but smokeless tobacco use remains a concern. Products like snus are marketed as less harmful, but they are not safe. Learn about snus addiction, its health risks, and options for quitting.
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What is Snus?
Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that is made from finely ground tobacco leaves, water, salt, and flavorings. Snus can be sold loose or in pouches and is typically placed under the lip, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the oral tissues.
Snus originated in Sweden and is often marketed as a “safer” tobacco product to decrease smoking rates. However, it still poses health risks.
Snus use is prevalent among young males, especially in rural areas. Smokeless tobacco products, including snus, are being marketed to young adults and teens, with 4.1% of high school students admitting to being current snus users.
Other tobacco products include:
- Dipping Tobacco (Dip)
- Chewing tobacco
- Snuff
- Cigarettes
- Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) or vapes
- Pipes
- Cigars and cigarillos (small cigars)
- Hookah
- Nicotine gels and dissolvables
Health Risks of SNUS Use
While snus is not inhaled and therefore considered less harmful than smoking cigarettes, the use of snus is still damaging to your health.
According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), smokeless tobacco contains over 4,000 chemicals, and around 30 of these are carcinogens (i.e., associated with causing cancer).
The most dangerous chemicals in snus are tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) that form during the growing, fermenting, curing, and aging of tobacco. Due to the various processing methods, the amount of TSNAs differs significantly between products and brands.
TSNAs increase the risk of cancer, and the level of nitrosamines in tobacco and nicotine products are thousands of times higher than in other consumer products regulated by the government.
Some health risks of snus include:
- Addiction
- Oral health issues (tooth discoloration, tooth decay/loss, gum disease and recession, leukoplakia/oral lesions, bad breath)
- Cancer (mouth, throat, pancreatic)
- Cardiovascular risks (high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke)
- Pregnancy complications (premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and stillbirth)
Signs of SNUS Addiction
Snus is addictive due to the nicotine content. When used, nicotine is quickly absorbed through oral tissues and utilized in the brain to release dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone.
Over time, the body requires higher amounts of nicotine to obtain the same feelings of pleasure, and users may experience negative side effects or withdrawal symptoms without it.
Some signs of snus addiction include:
- Cravings for snus
- Developing a tolerance for snus and needing higher doses or more frequent use
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using snus
- Prioritizing using snus over other activities
- Being unable to stop using snus or cut back despite trying
- Continuing to use snus despite harmful health effects
- Relying on snus for stress relief or to manage anxiety
Common Strategies for Quitting SNUS
Because snus can be used in environments where cigarette smoking is prohibited and users do not need to spit tobacco juices, there is little regulation on when and where snus can be used. This lack of regulation is what attracts many users to snus, but can quickly lead to strong addictions.
Some people find themselves using snus while at work, in school, or even while sleeping, depending on the level of addiction.
According to the World Health Organization, nine out of ten adult tobacco users state they started using as teenagers or earlier.
Continuing to educate children and teens about the dangers of snus and tobacco use can help prevent addictions from forming and aid in overall public health and harm reduction.
While a snus addiction can be hard to break, there are options available to help you quit for good. Talk to your healthcare provider about what methods are best for you.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, is a method for quitting snus by weaning down on the amount of nicotine used.
The goal is to keep nicotine levels high enough to prevent intense withdrawal symptoms while slowly decreasing the amount over time until you eventually quit altogether.
NRT is very effective and can be prescribed by your doctor or purchased over the counter.
NRT is available in several forms, including:
- Patches
- Gum
- Lozenges
- Nasal spray
- Inhalers
Medication
The FDA has approved two medications for quitting nicotine. These medications do not contain nicotine and are not habit-forming. These medications can help lessen cravings for snus and decrease withdrawal symptoms while quitting.
These medications include:
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin): an antidepressant that decreases cravings for snus
- Varenicline (Chantix, Champix): blocks nicotine receptors in your brain, making the effects of snus less enjoyable
Counseling Approaches
Counseling can be beneficial when quitting snus to help identify negative behaviors that lead to snus use.
Some areas of focus can include stress management, developing healthy coping mechanisms, identifying triggers, and environmental factors (e.g., where you spend your time and who you spend it with).
Counselors can help create healthier habits to fall back on when cravings strike and find support during and after quitting.
Some beneficial forms of counseling are:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
Find Help for Quitting SNUS
Although snus is considered less harmful than smoking, it still poses substantial health risks, and there is no safe level of smokeless tobacco use. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way for you to start your road to a tobacco-free life and quit snus for good.
You can use SAMHSA’s online treatment locator or call their free helpline to receive mental health support on your tobacco-free journey.
The National Cancer Institute’s telephone quitline is another resource available at 877-44U-QUIT (877-448-7848), or you can find your state’s quitline by calling 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).
FAQs About SNUS Addiction
Are SNUS safer than smoking?
While not risk free, snus is generally considered safer than smoking due to the lack of smoke inhalation. Without inhalation, the risk for lung and heart disease declines but snus still carries significant health risks such as oral and pancreatic cancers.
How are SNUS different from other tobacco products?
Snus differs from other tobacco products in that it is a moist smokeless tobacco product that is absorbed through the oral tissues. Snus contains tobacco unlike nicotine pouches but does not require chewing or spitting like chewing tobacco or “dip”.
Can you get addicted to SNUS?
Yes, you can get addicted to snus. Snus contains tobacco and nicotine which is an addictive stimulant that causes your brain to release dopamine and creates feelings of calm and pleasure.
What are the negative side effects of SNUS use?
While smokeless tobacco products are known to be safer than smoking, they are still harmful to your health. Some negative side effects of snus include:
- Tooth discoloration, decay, and loss
- Gum recession, oral lesions, and bad breath
- Cancers of the mouth, throat, and pancreas
- Raises blood pressure which increases risk of heart disease and stroke
- Nicotine addiction
- Pregnancy complications
What is the best way to quit SNUS?
The best way to quit snus will vary from person-to-person but usually involves a combination of methods including NRT (nicotine replacement therapy), counseling, support groups, and medications. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best option for you.
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