Tag: Stingfree

  • Stingfree Completes SEK5 Million Share Issue

    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“).

  • Stingfree Launched in Sweden

    Stingfree Launched in Sweden

    Photo: Sting Free

    Sting Free modern oral nicotine pouches have been launched in Sweden.

    The Stingfree technology reduces the burning sensation and irritation on the gums, which is typical of regular snus and oral nicotine products, according to a press release. Several e-commerce distributors and stores are now selling the first product in an upcoming series of tobacco-free nicotine pouches with different flavors and strengths.

    Several studies have shown that many snus users suffer damage to and changes to the gums, especially where the pouches are in direct contact with the gums. The U.S./EU patented Stingfree technology aims to counteract this and the associated burning/irritating sensation by having an impermeable barrier on the gum side of the pouch. A high percentage of snus users dislike when nicotine pouches and snus stings/burns and irritates the gums. This has been established by Sting Free AB in a comprehensive survey in 2022, with responses from over 1,000 Swedish snus users (of which almost 40 percent were women). Of the respondents, 67 percent of the women considered that the burning/stinging sensation, regardless of when it stings, is unpleasant as did 53 percent of the men. Almost 50 percent of the respondents had had oral health problems pointed out by their dentists linked to their use of snus/nicotine pouches.

    A recent survey of U.S. females investigated why the use of smokeless tobacco products like nicotine pouches and snus is so much lower among women compared to men. A main factor concluded from the responses was the burning sensation and oral irritation caused by these products, with comments such as “irritation,” “burn,” “hurts my gums,” etc. Other factors were “negative stereotypes about smokeless users,” “deadly misconceptions” that smokeless products are more dangerous than e-cigarettes and smoking and the unfamiliar mode of delivery.

    Sting Free AB’s vision is that the Stingfree technology will become a new industry standard for nicotine pouches and traditional smokeless tobacco products like snus and that customers in the future will be asked the question, “Regular or sting-free?” when they buy such products. The company also hopes that the technology will contribute to more smokers opting out of smoking in favor of significantly less dangerous nicotine pouches.