In 2006, the snus use in Scandinavia was approximately 7000 tons, converted into units it represents 240 000.000 cans.
The vast majority of the snus volume is sold in Sweden. In Norway 2006, the use of snus increased with 18% compared with previous year. 19 000.000 cans were sold with an additional 5 500.000 cans sold in Tax-free channels.
A recent study(2) shows that there are 309 000 snus users in Norway today. 47% of the daily snus users were previously daily smokers. Out of the daily snus users, 1.5% was previously daily snus users. This study indicates that the Swedish Experience (see Science & Harm Reduction) is becoming an exportable model for reducing the negative health effects of smoking.
The use of Swedish snus in Denmark is not as widely spread as in Norway. There are some domestic producers which predominately makes a form of loose snus with local regional roots. Portioned packed snus is not allowed in Denmark. In Denmark there is market for traditional Scandinavian chewing tobacco. Oliver Twist, the main producer, makes mini-rolls of tobacco with natural nicotine content that are chewed and could sequentially be placed between the cheek and the gum.
(1) World Health Organization. 2006. Tobacco Control Database http://data.euro.int
(2) MMI 2006 Norwegian Study, Commissioned by Swedish Match and presented 2007-03-08
