Introduction
Snus is a Swedish tobacco product. Scandinavian snus is found in Sweden and Norway. The Swedish institute of public health evaluated the health risks of using Scandinavian snus in 2005. Several studies suggest that increased use of snus may have an impact on public health. Snus is smokeless ground tobacco. Snus is not made in Norway. Most of the snus was imported from Sweden, and 1815 tonnes of snus and chewing tobacco were imported in 2013.
Additionally, there is border-area trading that is conducted privately. The snus is consumed more by men as compared to women. The consumption of snus has drastically increased in the last 20 years. The import of snus increased by three times between 2009 and 2013 to demonstrate this.
Snus contains nicotine and other substances which have the potential to cause cancer. Snus consumption may affect the heart, brain, and nervous system. Nicotine possesses a substantial potential for addiction which is harmful to adults. The fatal dose of nicotine range from 30 to 60 mg, depending on the adult.
What Is Snus?
Snus is a smokeless ground tobacco product. Moist and dry snus are two types of snus. Moist snus is retained in the mouth between the gum and the lip. Users inhale dry snus. Snus contains nicotine, a chemical that is biologically active and addictive, just like other tobacco products. In addition, snus contains additional carcinogens (agents that causes cancer is called carcinogens), such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA), which are known to cause cancer (PAH). In 2013, nine percent of adult users of snus reported doing so regularly, while four percent reported doing so sometimes. Snus was utilized more frequently by men than by women. Snus was used sometimes by five percent of men and three percent of women, compared to daily use by 14 percent of males and four percent of women. Snus usage was particularly high in the age group of 16 to 24 years. According to studies, 33 percent of men reported using snus daily or occasionally. The consumption of snus is highest among youngsters, both men and women.
The following are the components of the snus:
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Nicotine is the principal component.
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Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) are the most harmful chemicals present in snus.
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Radioactive element (polonium-210).
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
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Noxious metals (arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, nickel, mercury).
What Are the Health Hazards of Snus?
The main component of snus is nicotine. Nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA), radioactive elements (polonium-210), and harmful metals are constituents of snus.
The absorption of nicotine from moist snus is quick. Snus users and smokers have similar blood nicotine levels. Nicotine is broken down into inert substances in the body. These inactive degradation products eliminate 50 percent of nicotine within two hours. Nicotine's main mechanism of action is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which release several signaling molecules. In addition to the central and peripheral neural systems, these receptors are present in various additional tissues and organs, including the kidneys, muscles, lungs, and skin. Nicotine possesses substantial potential for addiction. Nicotine affects health adversely.
The following are the health hazards of the snus:
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Nicotine has harmful effects on the heart and causes an increased heart rate.
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Smoking and snus can cause increased blood pressure.
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Nicotine affects structural and functional changes in the brain.
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Snus also leads to behavioral changes and mood swings.
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Nicotine inhibits the development of the lung.
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In pregnant women, nicotine affects the fetus (developing infants inside the mother's womb).
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Nicotine suppresses the immune system.
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Nicotine may also affect cell growth that is involved in developing cancer.
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The consumption of snus during pregnancy may lead to the child's premature birth and reduced birth weight at the delivery time. In addition, Snus users may have a complication during pregnancy.
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Snus consumption in the mother increases the risk of respiratory failure (neonatal apnoea) among newborn babies. In addition, newborn babies can have lip and palate malformation.
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High doses of smokeless tobacco can cause stroke or heart failure (a condition in which the heart stops pumping blood).
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The high consumption of snus is associated with an increased risk for diabetes.
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High consumption of snus can result in obesity (overweight).
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Snus causes pre-cancerous lesions and changes in the oral cavity. Snus users have reported white and red mucosal lesions (spots) called snus-‐induced lesions.
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Snus can cause gum recession in the area where snus is placed in the mouth. Snus can also causes gum inflammation (gingivitis).
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Few studies suggest that snus can cause neurological disorders in a few cases.
Can Snus Cause Cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is the most common cancer reported in snus users. Based on experimental studies, smokeless tobacco (snus) is considered carcinogenic. Carcinogenic substances such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) may impact cancer development. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (NNK/NNN) are carcinogenic and damage genetic material (genotoxic). Therefore, even at modest exposure levels of snus, the risk of cancer can not be entirely disregarded. With more exposure, there is a higher chance of getting cancer. Since NNK/NNN are both genotoxic and carcinogenic, it should be anticipated that any exposure carries some cancer risk. Snus can cause and worsen cancer.
Several studies suggest that snus consumption increases the risk of pancreas, esophagus, lungs, stomach, intestine, and oral cavity cancer. The onset of snus uses, the amount and frequency of use and number of years of use, and the presence of a dangerous ingredient in this product will likely all impact the degree of elevated cancer risk.
There is some research suggesting that smoking snus reduces cancer survival rates.
High consumption of snus and smoking will likely increase the chance of developing snus and TSNA-related malignancies. As a result, the population's combined use of snus and smoking will be associated with an increased chance of developing cancer. Snus use, in contrast, will raise the overall risk of cancer when tobacco is not used. However, smoking exposes people to additional combustion byproducts that may raise their risk of developing lung cancer. Therefore, the increase is likely less than the significant cancer risk associated with smoking.
Conclusion
Snus consumption and occasionally smoking is the most common form of combined tobacco use in daily life. Snus ingestion has immediate consequences, including elevated blood pressure and pulse rate and possibly impacting heart function. The increased snus usage could lead to poorer oral health in snus users. Snus users may be associated with an increased risk of heart failure, leading to an increased risk of death. Snus causes pre-cancerous lesions and snus-induced lesions. Most of the lesions resolve when cessation of snus takes place. Several studies suggest that quitting snus after heart disease halved mortality. Cessation of snus consumption and smoking is advisable for good health.
