What is snus?
What snus is, what the rules cover and why Sweden is an exception in the EU.
Short answer
Snus is tobacco for use in the mouth, sold loose or in portions, and Sweden may sell it although EU law otherwise prohibits it. Brown snus contains tobacco and nicotine, while white snus has no tobacco. Buyers must be at least 18 years old. This topic is for adults aged 18 and over.
Why
- According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten), tobacco for use in the mouth is what is commonly called snus, and the rules cover both loose and portion snus.
- According to 1177, brown snus contains tobacco and nicotine, while white snus contains no tobacco but plant fibres and nicotine.
- According to the Court of Justice of the European Union, EU law prohibits placing tobacco for oral use such as snus on the market, and Sweden is exempt because of the traditional use of snus there.
Details
Under the Tobacco Act, chapter 5, section 17, tobacco products may not be sold in business to anyone under 18. The Public Health Agency says portion packs of snus must contain at least 20 portions and carry a Swedish health warning, and the Swedish Food Agency's regulation LIVSFS 2024:2 sets rules for ingredients and contaminants in snus. For tax and the age limit, see snus tax and the age limit, and for shops in Stockholm see the tobacco and vape store directory.
Tip
Packs sold in Sweden must carry a Swedish health warning, so the label is a quick way to see that a product is meant for the Swedish market. Rules for taking snus into other countries differ, as explained in can you take snus abroad.
What may differ
White snus is a tobacco-free nicotine product and is covered by a separate law from tobacco snus. Other countries have their own rules, for example France, see is snus allowed in France.
Common misconception
Snus is banned everywhere in the EU, including Sweden.
What actually happens
According to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the EU prohibition on placing snus on the market does not apply to Sweden, which is exempt because of the traditional use of snus there.
People also ask
- What is snus in Sweden?
- How do you use snus?
- What is Swedish snus?
Sources
- Public Health Agency of Sweden: Smokeless tobacco productsChecked at:
- 1177: Smoking and snusChecked at:
- Court of Justice of the EU: press release on snus (Case C-151/17)Checked at:
- Tobacco Act (2018:2088)Checked at:
- Swedish Food Agency: Regulation LIVSFS 2024:2 on snusChecked at:
Information checked on 27 October 2026.
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