White Snus Consumption Surges in Sweden, Transforming Tobacco Use Habits

The popularity of white snus in Sweden has surged dramatically, reshaping the landscape of tobacco product consumption. According to a report from the Centralförbundet för alkohol- och narkotikaupplysning (CAN), the consumption of white snus increased by 20% from 2023 to 2024, with 221 million cans sold last year—a doubling since its introduction in 2016. Research manager Mats Ramstedt highlighted that white snus has not only supplanted traditional tobacco snus but also led to an overall rise in snus use across the Swedish population.

White snus now accounts for 39% of all snus consumption, up from 17% in 2021. This increase is particularly notable among new user groups such as young people and women, raising concerns for the Folkhälsomyndigheten about potential addictive effects and largely unknown health risks. While white snus use jumped by approximately 180%, traditional tobacco snus declined slightly by 3% between 2023 and 2024.

On average, individuals aged 15 and older consumed about 1.1 kilograms of snus in 2024, reflecting an 8% increase since 2021. Meanwhile, cigarette smoking and e-cigarette usage have remained relatively stable. The CAN report suggests that heightened media coverage of health risks may influence these patterns. This shift in consumer behavior marks a significant change in Sweden’s tobacco use dynamics.