Snus is a Swedish tobacco product: moist, ground tobacco that you tuck under your upper lip, either loose or in small pouches. Nothing is burned and you don't spit. Outside Sweden, the word now often means nicotine pouches, the tobacco-free version.
What is snus made of?
Traditional snus is ground tobacco mixed with water and salt, usually with flavourings. In Sweden it is regulated as a food: the Swedish Food Agency sets which ingredients and additives it may contain (LIVSFS 2024:2).
Loose snus and portion snus
- Loose snus is the original: a moist tobacco powder that you shape into a small portion with your fingers.
- Portion snus comes ready in small pouches, a bit like tiny tea bags. Original portions are moist and brown; white portions are drier on the outside.
How snus is used
You place a portion between your upper lip and gum and leave it there. It releases nicotine and flavour while it sits under your lip, and you take it out when the flavour fades. You don't chew it or swallow it, and the used portion goes in the bin. Nicotine pouches, sometimes nicknamed lip pillows, are used exactly the same way.
Snus vs nicotine pouches
They look alike and sit in the same place, but there is one big difference: snus contains tobacco, nicotine pouches don't. A nicotine pouch holds plant fibre, nicotine and flavourings, and it is usually white, which is why people call them white snus.
| Snus | Nicotine pouches | |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco | Yes | No |
| Colour | Usually brown | Usually white |
| Flavours | Mostly tobacco, some flavoured | Mint, fruit, coffee and many more |
Popular tobacco-free picks
Or browse by flavour: mint, fruit, or everything we stock.
Where to buy snus and nicotine pouches
We don't sell tobacco snus. Pouchland ships tobacco-free nicotine pouches from Sweden: shipping is free from €75 to the EU and Switzerland, and for the UK and other countries checkout shows the price for your address. Our shipping page lists where we deliver, and you must be 18 or over to order.
Every pouch shows its nicotine per pouch. We sort them from Light (under 5 mg) through Medium, Strong and Extra strong to Extreme (25 mg and up), and there are nicotine-free pouches too.
Updated 21 Oct 2026 by Valter Simonsson, founder.
Common questions
Is snus the same as ZYN?
No. ZYN is a brand of nicotine pouches, which contain no tobacco; snus is made with tobacco.
What does snus taste like?
Traditional snus tastes of tobacco and salt, and many brands add flavourings. Nicotine pouches come in far more flavours: mint, fruit, coffee and more.
What is white snus?
Another name for nicotine pouches: white, tobacco-free pouches that you use the same way.
Is snus legal in the UK?
Tobacco snus is not sold in the UK: The Tobacco for Oral Use (Safety) Regulations 1992 say no one shall supply "any tobacco for oral use". Nicotine pouches contain no tobacco.
Can I buy snus from Pouchland?
We sell tobacco-free nicotine pouches, not tobacco snus. You can order them from us for delivery to most of Europe.
This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.
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