Heysnus is a smokeless tobacco product, which was developed in the 18th century in Sweden. It is made from cured tobacco leaves that are pressed into a paste and then shaped into small pellets called prillor. These prillor are placed in a pouch of dried leaves or paper, usually called a portion. A variety of flavors are available and the nicotine content can vary from 40 mg/g to a maximum of 67 mg/g.
Despite being illegal for sale in most of Europe, snus is widely available in the Nordic countries and also in South Africa, the Pacific Islands and the USA. It is usually sold in a mini, normal and maxi size and the packaging discloses the net weight of each sachet.
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A large proportion of the Swedish population are regular users of snus, and it is a major reason why Swedish men have among the lowest rates of smoking-related diseases in the European Union. Moreover, snus is considered by many experts to be a much safer product than chewing tobacco and cigarettes because it does not deliver harmful substances such as nitrosamines directly to the lungs.
However, snus is not without risks. A recent study found that snus use increases the risk of oral mucosal lesions, and it is recommended that people with pre-existing mouth or throat conditions refrain from using it. Furthermore, it is not recommended that snus be used in combination with alcohol or other tobacco products.