Smokeless tobacco

Part of: Smoking and vaping

Contents

Smokeless tobacco is chewed, inhaled (sniffed) or placed in the mouth. There are different types:

  • Naswar (smokeless tobacco with slaked lime and indigo)
  • Paan (usually contains sliced areca nut, slaked lime and catechu)
  • Gutkha (tobacco and pan masala)
  • Khaini (dried tobacco and slaked lime)
  • Zarda (tobacco, lime, spices, areca nut and flavourings

Using smokeless tobacco can cause mouth problems, such as:

  • stained and worn teeth
  • gum disease
  • bad breath
  • losing teeth

Snus

Snus is a type of smokeless tobacco that you put under your upper lip. It is mainly used in Sweden and Norway.

Selling snus is banned in the UK and most of the EU (except Sweden) because oral tobacco products are not allowed.

Studies in Sweden suggest that using snus might be less harmful than smoking cigarettes. People sometimes confuse “snus” with “nicotine pouches,” but they are not the same thing.

Tobacco pouches

Tobacco pouches contain tobacco and are legal in the UK. They are the original “Snus”.

Nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco and are legal in the UK. They are sometimes called “Snus”.

Harms caused by nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches contain high amounts of nicotine. This can strongly affect the heart and blood vessels by:

  • raising blood pressure
  • speeding up heart rate
  • increasing the risk of heart disease

These products are especially dangerous for: 

  • Children and teenagers – nicotine can harm brain development and lead to addiction.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women – nicotine can harm the baby’s growth and brain development, and it passes into breast milk.
  • People with heart problems – nicotine can make heart conditions worse and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Even though nicotine pouches don’t contain tobacco, they are still addictive and can cause serious health risks.