After trying every nicotine product under the sun - vapes, cigarettes, those awful nicotine pouches - Swedish snus is the only one that doesn't wreck me. Those modern nicotine pouches? Absolute hell. Sore throat, stomach cramps, sinus congestion - like getting punched by a flu virus.
Snus feels different. It's just a small tobacco pouch you tuck under your lip for 30 minutes, like a nicotine tea bag. The nicotine absorbs through your gumline rather than your lungs. Swedish versions contain actual tobacco (banned in the UK), while the UK-legal versions are just nicotine salts.
Here's the weird part - studies can't really prove snus is dangerous. Oxford researchers found minimal health risks, then basically said "but what if kids like it too much?" There's zero evidence linking it to mouth or throat cancer after decades of Swedish use.
That said, it's still nicotine - so yeah, you'll get hooked. But compared to smoking? The addiction creeps up slower since the buzz comes on gradually. My dentist did warn me about gum irritation if I keep stuffing pouches in the same spot constantly.
The worst I've experienced is some mild heartburn if I use too many strong portions back-to-back. Nothing like the chemical sickness from those synthetic nicotine pouches. Those things feel like they're designed to punish you for quitting cigarettes.
Biggest surprise? After six months of snus, my lung capacity improved noticeably compared to vaping. No more morning cough. No ashtray stench clinging to everything. Just a discreet nicotine fix without the drama.