Recent Study Analyzes Risk Perceptions of Snus in Norway

Most studies on perceived risks of smokeless tobacco products (SLT) have been conducted in the U.S., where the use of such products is less widespread. The current study was conducted in Norway where SLT-products are less toxic (Swedish snus) and their use is more prevalent than in the U.S.

Diane Caruana

April 2, 2019

The study titled, “Relative Risk Perceptions between Snus and Cigarettes in a Snus-Prevalent Society—An Observational Study over a 16 Year Period”, was conducted over a 16 years period (2003–2018). A large sample of 13,381 respondents (aged 16–79 years) answered questions about risk perceptions, in Norway’s national survey of tobacco behavior.

The participants were asked to rate how harmful eight tobacco products are, amongst which cigarettes and snus. The researchers first assessed the responses for the products independently and then compared the answers.

Snus considered almost as harmful as cigarettes

The authors’ found that cigarettes were accurately rated the worst, at an average response of 6.5, while snus also averaged relatively high at 5.14 (79.3%). Meanwhile, vaporizers averaged at 3.8 and NRT 3.4 (58.4% and 52.3%). An interesting fact is that the average score on the scale has remained remarkably close to the same since 2003. However the most curious factor is the fact that snus averaged so high when its use is so widespread.

Snus is a moist powder tobacco product that is placed under the upper lip for extended periods. It is mostly popular in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, where it is legal and considered an effective harm reduction product. In fact, snus has not only led to Sweden boasting the lowest smoking rates in Europe, but more importantly, also to reporting the lowest rates of lung cancer across the continent.