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Tag: Snus

  • Tobacco-Free Pouches Are Not Milder Alternative for Mucosa: Study 

    Tobacco-Free Pouches Are Not Milder Alternative for Mucosa: Study 

    A clinical study by Folktandvården Stockholm and the Karolinska Institutet found that tobacco-free nicotine pouches and traditional tobacco-containing snus produce different oral mucosal reactions. While both products were associated with increased tissue thickening as use increased, nicotine pouch users more frequently exhibited inflammatory changes such as erythema and, in some cases, ulceration, making their effects less predictable than those seen with traditional snus.

    The study, which evaluated 272 adults aged 18–30, found no increased risk of cavities or periodontitis in either group over up to six years of use, but researchers said the findings highlight the need for further research into the oral health effects of nicotine pouches and different flavor formulations.

  • Fiber-Based Snus Packaging Moves Toward Commercial Production

    Fiber-Based Snus Packaging Moves Toward Commercial Production

    Future Materials Sweden ordered two Scala machines from PulPac to establish industrial-scale production of fiber-based snus cans at a new facility in Ljungby, marking a shift from product development to commercialization. The site will serve as the company’s first production hub, focusing initially on high-volume snus packaging—an area traditionally dominated by plastic—signaling growing momentum for alternative materials in nicotine product packaging.

    PulPac said the investment reflects broader industry interest in sustainable packaging solutions, with its Dry Molded Fiber technology positioned as a scalable alternative. Both companies said the move is aimed at building capacity for future expansion and partnering with additional brands, as demand grows for renewable, lower-impact packaging across the tobacco and nicotine category.

  • Plastic-Free Packaging Developed for Snus Cans

    Plastic-Free Packaging Developed for Snus Cans

    PulPac, Future Materials Sweden, and Yoik AB have developed a “dry molded fiber” snus can for Yoik’s Helwit brand at PulPac’s R&D Lab, marking the brand’s entry into the smokeless tobacco segment, a market traditionally dominated by plastic packaging. The fiber-based can has been engineered to meet the functional demands of high-volume snus packaging, including durability, consistent fit, and premium feel, and is currently undergoing structured product validation and trials on Yoik’s filling line.

    In parallel, Future Materials signed a license agreement with PulPac to commercialize dry-molded fiber products, with plans underway to industrialize, scale production, and optimize tooling to enable full-scale manufacturing once validation milestones are achieved.

  • S. Africa Exempts Smokeless Tobacco from New Regs

    S. Africa Exempts Smokeless Tobacco from New Regs

    South Africa’s Department of Health plans to exempt non-combustible and smokeless tobacco products such as snus, chewing tobacco, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes from key provisions of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, according to Times Live. Deputy Director-General Jeanette Hunter said the exemption reflects their lower toxic profile, though rules will still restrict misleading claims, shapes, and descriptors to protect children.

    Parliamentary debate raised cultural and enforcement concerns, with the African Transformation Movement’s Vuyo Zungula calling for clear exemptions for traditional snuff use, and Freedom Front Plus’ Philippus van Staden citing limited law enforcement and border controls. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi clarified that cultural use of combustible tobacco is rare, while Hunter highlighted that smoking remains prohibited in public spaces, with compliance largely enforced by public awareness rather than police presence.

  • Sweden Nears Milestone as Europe’s First ‘Smoke-Free’ Nation

    Sweden Nears Milestone as Europe’s First ‘Smoke-Free’ Nation

    Sweden’s smoking rate is in decline this year, putting it on track to become Europe’s first smoke-free country, ready to eclipse the World Health Organization’s 5% threshold, according to Gulf News. Last year, its daily smoking rate fell to 5.2%, a sharp decline from 15% in 2005, credited to long-running public health campaigns and the widespread switch to lower-risk nicotine products such as snus and tobacco-free pouches.

    About 18% of Swedes now use snus or similar products, which, though not risk-free, experts say are far less harmful than cigarettes. Over the past decade, daily smoking has dropped 55%, accompanied by a 38% fall in tobacco-related deaths among men and a 41% decline in lung cancer cases.

    Public health specialists say Sweden’s blend of regulation, clear messaging, and safer alternatives—backed by high social trust—offers a potential roadmap for other nations working to cut smoking rates.

  • OTP Driving Q3 Growth for U.S. Convenience Retailers

    OTP Driving Q3 Growth for U.S. Convenience Retailers

    Other tobacco products (OTP) continued to deliver strong performance for major U.S. convenience-store operators in the third quarter of 2025, according to earnings reports from Arko Corp., Murphy USA, and CrossAmerica Partners.

    According to CSP, Arko Corp. CEO Arie Kotler reported OTP sales up 16% year over year, with same-store sales rising 6.6% and category margins improving by more than 300 basis points, driven by store redesigns and enhanced promotions. CrossAmerica Partners also cited OTP as a key contributor to its higher merchandise gross margin, which grew by about 100 basis points. Meanwhile, Murphy USA highlighted strong gains in traditional smokeless and nicotine pouch sales. CEO Andrew Clyde said total merchandise margins rose 11.3%, while COO Mindy West noted nicotine pouch volumes surged 45%, jumping to 120% of prior-year levels in October through aggressive promotions.

  • Stingfree Completes SEK5 Million Share Issue

    Photo: Stingfree

    Stingfree, a snus startup based in Sweden, has completed a new share issue of SEK5 million ($460,000) in November, resulting in a company valuation of SEK40.6 million.

    Demonstrating his confidence in the company’s future, billionaire entrepreneur Erik Selin increased his ownership stake from 15.8 percent to 21.9 percent.

    Stingfree offers a patented integrated gum protection product, effectively reducing burning, corrosion and irritation of the gums and thus enabling nicotine pouch use without discomfort.

    A spring 2024 pilot study in Sweden revealed significant declines in snus- and pouch-related oral health problems, such as oral lesions and inflamed gums after participants switched from their regular brands to a Stingfree nicotine pouch product for five weeks.

    Twenty out of the 23 dentists participating in the study now recommend Stingfree nicotine pouches to pouch using patients who cannot or do not wish to quit.

    “Injuries to the oral mucosa and gums are a common consequence of pouch use, regardless of whether the snus contains tobacco or is tobacco-free (nicotine pouches). Independent dental studies in Sweden and Norway published in 2022-2023 indicate that the prevalence of snus lesions affects as many as 70-90 percent of all users, which corresponds to over 1.2 million users in just Sweden and Norway.

    Our goal is for Stingfree nicotine pouches to become a new alternative standard for this category of oral nicotine products, as natural as light beverages are for soft drinks and GoreTex is for clothing and shoes.

    Daniel Wiberg, CEO, Stingfree

    “While other manufacturers compete on flavor and strength, we offer something truly unique—a solution that can actually improve the user’s oral health,” said CEO Daniel Wiberg.

    “Our goal is for Stingfree nicotine pouches to become a new alternative standard for this category of oral nicotine products, as natural as light beverages are for soft drinks and GoreTex is for clothing and shoes,” he added.

    “Our surveys with over 1,000 participating Swedish snus and nicotine pouch users also show that 67 percent of women and 53 percent of men dislike the burning sensation and the irritation on the gums” said Stingfree founder Bengt Wiberg.

    Tobacco Reporter profiled Stingfree in its July 2017 issue (see “Patching the Pouch“).

  • Regulators Urged to Distinguish Combustibles and Smoke-Free

    Regulators Urged to Distinguish Combustibles and Smoke-Free

    Photo: Finn Bjurvoll Hansen

    A study released on May 7 adds further evidence that the harm from nicotine use is determined primarily by the consumption method.

    Titled No Smoke, Less Harm, the report details rates of nicotine usage in Sweden and a number of comparable countries, finding that nicotine use was not a factor in tobacco-related disease.

    Karl Fagerstrom

    While nicotine consumption in Sweden mirrors the European average, the country reports a 41 percent lower incidence of lung cancer and fewer than half the tobacco-related deaths of its European peers. This stark contrast is attributed to the widespread adoption of smoke-free nicotine products such as snus, nicotine pouches and electronic cigarettes.

    “This distinction between smoking and the use of smokeless products is crucial,” says Karl Fagerstrom, a public health expert and contributor to the report.

    “While nicotine is addictive, it does not cause the serious diseases associated with smoking. Our findings support a shift in focus from cessation to substitution with less harmful alternatives for those unable to stop completely.”

    According to the authors, Sweden’s proactive measures in public health education and regulatory frameworks have encouraged a transition to these alternatives, significantly impacting public health outcomes. The report points out that embracing similar harm reduction strategies could be pivotal for other nations striving to reduce the health impacts of tobacco.

    “The Swedish experience demonstrates that understanding and addressing public misperceptions about nicotine can lead to health policies that better protect and inform consumers,” said Fagerstrom.

  • General Snus MRTP up for Renewal

    General Snus MRTP up for Renewal

    Photo: Swedish Match

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on June 26, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time at the FDA White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.

    Among other topics, the committee will discuss the renewal of a risk modification order submitted by Swedish Match USA for several loose snus and portioned snus products sold under the General brand name.

    The meeting will also be webcast.

  • Snus Documentary to Screen in Spain

    Snus Documentary to Screen in Spain

    Image: fergregory

    Somos Innovacion announced the avant-premiere of the documentary How Sweden Stopped Smoking by award-winning Polish director Tomasz Agencki. The screening will take place on Feb. 27 at Espacio Balboa in Madrid and will include a panel discussion with leading experts in health and activism.

    This documentary delves into the story of how Sweden became a smoke-free nation. Through interviews with scientists, doctors, innovators and artists, Agencki spins a tale that examines the complex interplay of science, politics, history and personal will behind this “Swedish miracle.”

    “We are excited to share this inspiring story about the courage and creativity that made a healthier future possible for Swedes,” says Federico N. Fernandez, CEO of Somos Innovacion, in a statement. “We believe the lessons from Sweden’s journey can guide other nations to achieve the same progress.”

    Following the screening, a panel of experts composed of Fernando Fernandez Bueno, oncologic surgeon and prominent anti-smoking opinion leader; Josep Maria Ramon Torrell, head of the Tobacco Treatment Unit at Bellvitge Hospital and professor of medicine; Julio Ruades, popular YouTuber and spokesperson for the Spanish Association of Personal Vaporizer Users; Federico N. Fernandez, CEO of Somos Innovacion; and moderated by Carmen Escrig, coordinator of the Spanish Medical Platform for Tobacco Harm Reduction will share unique perspectives and discuss key lessons that inspire other nations to follow Sweden’s example in the fight against smoking.

    Space is limited. Reserve free tickets on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/SueciaLibreDeHumo. This avant-premiere is in-person only; it will not be streamed.