Irish Health Experts Raise Alarm Over Rising Snus Use

Health experts in Ireland have voiced significant concerns regarding the escalating use of "snus," a type of tobacco-free nicotine pouch. These products, which are readily available and advertised across the country, are placed between the gum and lip, delivering nicotine. Professor Ray Walley, a general practitioner and board member of the Standing Committee of European Doctors, urged Ireland to take a leading role in banning snus, drawing a parallel to its pioneering smoking ban in 2004.

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Professor Walley described these products as "highly addictive" and warned of their inherent health risks, stating, "These are gateways to further addiction issues, including tobacco." A key issue is that because snus products are tobacco-free, they bypass the stringent regulations applied to other nicotine products containing tobacco, such as age restrictions and advertising limitations. The nicotine content in a single snus pouch can be up to 20 times that of a cigarette, and France has recently implemented a ban on the product.

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highly addictive

Snus began appearing in Ireland around 2019 and gained significant popularity between 2022 and 2023, a trend mirrored globally. The global market for nicotine pouches was valued at nearly $7 billion (€6.1 billion) last year, with global retail sales exceeding 23 billion units in 2024, a more than 50% increase from the previous year. In Ireland, sales for one brand of nicotine pouches reportedly increased nearly five-fold in just one year.

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These are gateways to further addiction issues, including tobacco

Dr. Denise Proudfoot of Dublin City University (DCU), who researches the health impacts of vaping and snus on young people, noted the widespread availability of these pouches in many shops. She highlighted that their tobacco-free status allows them to be sold and advertised without the restrictions faced by cigarettes and vapes, and they are also considerably cheaper. The discreet packaging, which dissolves slowly and emits no odor, makes them easy to use in public spaces where smoking and vaping are prohibited. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued a "strong warning" about the rapid expansion of these products, citing aggressive marketing towards adolescents and young people. Dr. Proudfoot observed the use of "slick and effective" marketing tactics targeting youth.

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Nicotine pouches are widely available