How Women Shaped the Evolution of Snus in Sweden

• Women drove demand for portioned snus.
• Preferences shaped flavours and formats.
• Nicotine pouches reflect long-term shifts in format and accessibility.

Snus has long been part of Swedish culture, but its use and format have changed over time.

Women played a role in this evolution, particularly in how snus became more discreet, practical, and socially acceptable.

From early tobacco preparation at home to the widespread adoption of portioned snus, women’s preferences influenced how snus was used and who it appealed to.

In the early 1700s, King Fredrik I issued a decree requiring every Swedish town to cultivate tobacco. The aim was to reduce reliance on imports, according to the Snus & Matchstick Museum.

Sweden’s climate made cigarette tobacco difficult to produce. Instead, tobacco was moistened and salted, an approach that led to the development of snus.

As explained in the How Sweden Quit Smoking documentary:

“So, we did what we do with fish and with vegetables, basically we pickled it.”
— Atakan Befrits

“Started to moisten with water and add salt and create another kind of smokeless tobacco, which you put under your lip.”
— Patrik Strömer, Association of Swedish Snus Manufacturers

During the 19th century, Swedish farmers refined snus production by mixing ground tobacco with water, salt, and flavourings such as bergamot and juniper berry.

Placed under the upper lip, this form of snus offered a practical alternative to smoking, particularly in industrial professions where smoking was impractical.

In the same documentary, Karl Fagerström explains how this usage shaped snus traditions. Bengt Wiberg later describes snus as:

This statement is presented as a historical quote and reflects the speaker’s perspective rather than a product claim.

By the mid-20th century, tobacco use among Swedish women was increasing. Traditional loose snus, however, presented practical challenges.

Loose snus requires handling, shaping, and pinching by hand, which can be considered messy or unhygienic in professional or social settings.

As more women entered urban workplaces, demand grew for a more convenient and hygienic alternative. This shift in preferences helped drive one of the most important innovations in snus history.

In 1967, Professor Curtin Sell at the Swedish Tobacco Company developed the first portion-packed snus. Inspired by teabags, the goal was to improve hygiene and ease of use.

Portioned snus eliminated the need to touch loose tobacco and made snus easier to use in certain environments.

Although not designed specifically for women, its discreet, pre-portioned format appealed to a broader audience.

Why portioned snus gained popularity:

• No direct handling of loose tobacco
• Easier and more discreet use
• Availability in smaller portions and varied strengths

Over time, portioned snus surpassed loose snus and became the dominant format.

While portioned snus was not explicitly developed for women, its success can be linked to changing demographics, which included more female users.  

This influenced:

• Flavour variety: Expansion beyond traditional tobacco flavours
• Portion sizes: Introduction of mini portions
• Strength options: Wider range of nicotine strengths

The rise of tobacco-free nicotine pouches followed a similar pattern, prioritising cleanliness, convenience, and format variety.

Traditional tobacco snus cannot be sold in the UK under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. However, nicotine pouches, commonly referred to as tobacco-free snus, are legally available for adult users.

These pouches contain nicotine but no tobacco and offer a discreet, smoke-free format.

The popularity of nicotine pouches reflects similar trends seen with portioned snus: a preference for convenience, cleanliness, and variety.

👉 Curious about nicotine alternatives? Read our guide on nicotine pouches in the UK.

As we approach International Women’s Day 2026, it’s worth recognising the often-overlooked role women played in shaping snus culture.

From home-prepared blends in rural Sweden to the global adoption of portioned snus, women influenced how snus evolved in form, accessibility, and everyday use.

Their impact continues to be reflected in modern tobacco-free nicotine products available today.