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Is Snus Legal in the UK?

Snus is a traditional Scandinavian smokeless tobacco product that comes in several forms that are used by placing the snus pouch or pinch between the gum and upper lip until the effects wear off. It has been popular in Scandinavia for its relatively high nicotine content and quick absorption. The addition of their cousin, nicotine pouches, to the market as a tobacco-leaf free alternative it can be hard to work out the difference and if either product is legal in the UK. In this guide, if snus and nicotine pouches are legal in the UK and what the key differences are between the two.

Is Snus Legal in the UK?

The short answer: it is illegal to buy and sell snus in the UK, but legal for adults (over 18) to use snus. But why is snus illegal in the UK?

Since 1992, the European Union (EU) has made it illegal to sell snus, with Sweden being the only exception. This ban was implemented around the same time the World Health Organization (WHO) declared snus as carcinogenic, mainly due to the fact snus contains tobacco. It is also believed that US manufacturers were putting pressure on the UK market to introduce smokeless tobacco, which further contributed to the ban. Additionally, health authorities in the UK have argued that snus can cause mouth cancer, both of these factors being the main reasons why snus is illegal in the UK.

Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in the UK?

Unlike tobacco snus, nicotine pouches (also known as tobacco-free snus and nicopods) are legal to use and buy nicotine pouches in the UK if you are over 18 years old.

Nicotine pouches are smoke-free, tobacco-free all white pouches made with nicotine, filler and flavourings. They are not considered to be tobacco products, which means they are not subject to the same regulations as traditional tobacco snus.

What Exactly is Snus?

Snus (also known as “snuff”) is a type of moist powdered oral tobacco you place between the lip and gum, and is usually associated with Sweden. Over the years, there have been many developments and changes in snus variations and usage across the globe, including the development of tobacco-free snus (also known as nicotine pouches or nicopods). Tobacco-free snus comes in portioned pouches that contain nicotine without the tobacco, and like tobacco snus, these pouches are placed between the lip and gum.

Buying Snus in the UK

While you cannot buy tobacco snus, you can buy nicotine pouches and tobacco-free snus online on Haypp. Discover the range of premium nicotine pouch brands such as VELO, Klint, On! and more: order online for fast, free shipping from our UK warehouse.