It has already been fully consolidated in the Nordic countries, and is gradually gaining ground in Catalonia. It is about to White Snus, a new way to consume nicotine Which is presented as an alternative to traditional tobacco.
They are kind of pouches filled with synthetic nicotine – not tobacco – etc. It is placed between the upper lip and the gum.In this way, the person consuming it absorbs all the substance and then disposes of the envelope.
In countries like Sweden or Denmark, it is practically impossible to go out and not see someone consuming it. However, it is still not common in Catalonia. Sales have increased significantly. Since the beginning of the year.
“The orders he makes are increasing every week,” says Barcelona winemaker Joan Miquel Moraga, because many consumers, especially young people, try it and then repeat it.
“Usually, the people who buy the most are young people between the ages of 20 and 30. In addition, many tourists from the Nordic countries or Central Europe come to look for them as well.”
Specifically to attract the interest of a young audience, just as happens with vapers, snus It is sold in many different flavors..
In any type of tobacco, you can find mint, strawberry, lemon or tropical fruits, for example. There are also milder types – containing less nicotine – and more intense ones.
It is also a carcinogenic substance and poses a health hazard.
One of the big arguments that advocates of white tobacco use is that it is less harmful to health than traditional tobacco. Although this new way of consuming nicotine It still has many risks..
Jacobo Silares, Pulmonologist at Hospital Clínic Barcelona The secretary of the Catalan Smoking Association warns that snus, like tobacco, is also carcinogenic.
Specifically, because it is absorbed orally, It can cause gastrointestinal cancers. – For example, from the esophagus or stomach – and also Gum and teeth problemsIt can also cause Cardiovascular problems Such as irregular heartbeats or heart rhythm disturbances.
Instead, what disappears is the risk of lung cancer.
“Because it is not smoked, it does not harm the lungs. But because it is absorbed in the digestive tract, the damage is elsewhere. It is generally less. That is true. But its risk is not zero. We must warn the population that continued consumption of this product is a health problem.”
The main danger is addiction.
However, The main danger of snuff It is addictive. Unlike tobacco, it can be consumed anywhere and at any time, making the user even more dependent.
And besides that also It carries up to ten times the amount of nicotine found in tobacco. normal.
While smoking a cigarette absorbs 1 or 2 milligrams of nicotine, in the case of stronger tobacco it can reach 10 milligrams per bag.
Tobacco Gateway
Silaris also refutes the idea that snus can be used as a means of quitting smoking. In fact, he warns that in many cases, Those who smoke snus are still using tobacco.Even combining cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
“Snus is not marketed for smoking cessation, but for chronic nicotine consumption. We are primarily concerned about dual consumption. Snus is the gateway to traditional cigarette consumption. Many people smoke a little, and the rest of the nicotine regimes miss the point.”
However, he admits that the sudden surge is part of that.Change in attitude among young peoplewho prefer alternatives such as e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, and on the other hand, do not look favorably on traditional tobacco. This is precisely what makes big companies opt for these new formats.
“The tobacco industry realizes that it has to make a change because traditional cigarettes have an expiration date, and it has to look for other ways to preserve the business that generates a lot of money.”
Avoid organization
White snus, i.e. synthetic nicotine pouches, are not regulated in Catalonia, nor in the entire state, nor in most of Europe.
This means that this product is currently Anti-smoking laws can be circumvented. They can be sold to tobacco vendors without restrictions. This is because what comes in the pouches is, technically, not tobacco, and no specific regulations have yet been put in place for synthetic nicotine replacement products.
What is banned throughout the EU, except for Sweden, is traditional snus. In this case, what is inside the pouches is actually ground tobacco, so this substance is already regulated. It cannot be sold to tobacco vendors..
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