However, in this study for clarity these products are referred to as portion. In addition to portion snus, some NE snus products are available as loose tobacco. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines [TSNAs] are of public health significance because these compounds are among the most abundant and potent carcinogens in tobacco products [ 3 ]. Because microorganisms are capable of producing nitrite, which contributes to TSNA formation, the production of snus often incorporates heat treatment pasteurization to kill microorganisms [ 6 — 8 ].
Because of its lowered TSNA levels, snus is often perceived as a less harmful form of tobacco when compared with cigarette smoking [ 13 — 14 ].
However, further investigation into potential lifetime nicotine dependence and other health risks [ 15 — 17 ] associated with the use of snus is warranted to inform tobacco policies and effective public health messages about these products. At present, it is not known if the chemical composition of snus products made in these countries is similar.
This study was designed to generate data enabling comparisons of snus with other tobacco products, and to determine whether US and NE snus products differ chemically. Study results may provide valuable information to snus consumers, clinicians, tobacco regulators, and policymakers. Upon receipt, smokeless samples were logged into a custom database, assigned barcodes with a unique ID, and stored at— 70 o C until analyzed. Total moisture content was measured using a methodology described elsewhere [ 12 ].
The pH values were determined in a 1-g sample of each product in a mL aliquot of distilled, deionized water using a Sirius Vinotrate pH meter Sirius Analytical Ltd. Measurements for pH at 5-, , , and min intervals were averaged.
The pH protocol used is fully described elsewhere [ 12 ]. Averages of duplicate measures for moisture and pH measurements are reported. Total nicotine concentrations were measured using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry GC-MS method as described previously [ 18 ].
Snus samples were weighed to approximately 0. Samples were then extracted with 10 mL of aqueous ammonium acetate buffer, shaken for one hour at rpm, and filtered with a 0.
The analytical methodology is reported elsewhere [ 20 ]. In order to represent the correlation among the repeated measurements, mixed effects models were configured with random effects indicating snus product nested within manufacturer and region, manufacturer nested within region, as well as random intercepts. Because measurement distributions were not entirely compatible with assumptions underlying calculation of means and standard errors, the least-square statistics were derived from analyses of 10, bootstrap resamples of the data, stratified by region, manufacturer, and snus product.
Tabulated means, standard errors, and differences are bootstrapped least-square LS estimates from these mixed effects models Tables 1 and 2. Mixed effects models were not applied to statistics displayed in Figures, nor statistics reported for alkaloids and flavors.
All eight US snus products investigated in this study were tobacco portion style. The average weight per portion for both regions was approximately 0. The portion weight or size refers to the mass of tobacco and portion material per serving. On average, US portion snus ranged from 0. Among all analytes, measurements encompassed broad ranges: moisture, The total nicotine concentrations of 16 of 56 NE snus products were higher range Unprotonated nicotine concentrations, calculated using pH and total nicotine concentrations, varied widely among all products, ranging from 0.
In Table 1 —Comparison A, unprotonated nicotine concentrations were significantly higher among NE portion standard snus compared to US portion standard snus 5. In Table 1 —Comparison B, there were no detectable differences in moisture, pH, and nicotine concentrations between NE white and original portion categories.
Among NE portion snus, 43 of the 49 portion products had higher LS-mean unprotonated nicotine levels than US portion snus. The LS-mean unprotonated nicotine levels of all 7 NE loose snus products varied more than 3-fold across brands.
Moreover, among NE portion and NE loose snus categories there were statistically significant differences in the LS-mean moisture There is a wide range of total and unprotonated nicotine levels wet wt. A summary of all 64 snus products by manufacture and brand family is provided in the S1 Table.
The highest arithmetic mean total nicotine concentrations were found in the British American Tobacco Odens brand family In terms of unprotonated nicotine, the same Thunder products described above had the highest arithmetic mean unprotonated nicotine concentration Lastly, the lowest arithmetic unprotonated nicotine levels were found in two US brand families, Skoal 0.
Arithmetic means of total and unprotonated nicotine found in twenty-five snus brand families made by ten manufacturers in Europe [A-G] and the US [H-J] varied widely among all products. However, US snus had lower unprotonated nicotine compared to NE snus. Tobacco Company. Arithmetic means and standard errors are estimates from 10, bootstrap resamples of the data. Error bars represent bootstrapped standard errors.
The Skoal brand family 1. Smokeless Tobacco and V2 Tobacco Thunder brand family 1. Several minor tobacco alkaloids, which are important in TSNA formation, were measured. Anatabine the precursor of N'-nitrosoanatabine or NAT and nornicotine the precursor of N'-nitrosonornicotine or NNN , which are typically seen in other tobacco products e. Snus products from both regions had concentrations of myosimine range 4.
Overall, menthol levels ranged from 5. Both eucalyptol and pulegone were present in Concentrations of eucalyptol and pulegone in these US snus products ranged from Of all European snus products, a higher prevalence of flavor constituents was observed in portion products than in loose varieties.
Snus products vary in style, strength, and flavor. This study surveys the pH, moisture, flavors, minor alkaloids, TSNAs, and nicotine levels in 64 snus products for sale in either Northern Europe or the United States to examine similarities and differences.
Our findings show some statistically significant differences exist in snus products by manufacturer, descriptor, and region. Differences were also observed in other attributes of the products. The wide assortment of additives, such as spices, oils, and flavors, found in snus may influence tobacco use among youth and adolescents [ 21 — 24 ].
Menthol was the most prevalent flavor constituent found in our study. Additional flavor compounds such as methyl salicylate and pulegone were also present and could contribute to the popular mint and wintergreen flavors. The portion snus style is rapidly becoming more popular than loose selections and may be targeted to younger age groups, as portion products can easily be secured in the mouth and used unnoticed [ 1 , 21 ].
For example, the snus products analyzed in this study had considerably lower mean TSNA levels than dry snuff Thus, self-imposed changes to certain process parameters [ 5 ] can achieve lower TSNA levels in tobacco products. These data illustrates how the manufacturing processes can minimize harmful constituents, such as TSNAs, in oral tobacco products like snus. Processes that exclude microorganisms are highly effective in reducing TSNA levels [ 5 — 6 ].
However, it is not generally known how the tobacco is cleaned prior to snus manufacturing. Washing tobacco at harvest is one means of removing agricultural chemicals, microbes, and soil particles that may contain associated microbes or metals [ 26 ]. Moreover, because snus products are generally kept refrigerated at the point of sale, low product temperatures may also hinder microbial growth and generation of nitrite and TSNAs [ 5 ]. Although total nicotine levels overlapped between the two regions, pH and unprotonated nicotine varied significantly.
In order to maintain a specific pH, alkaline agents like ammonium and sodium carbonates are commonly used in snus tobacco [ 1 , 5 , 27 ].
Higher product pH increases the proportion of nicotine present as unprotonated nicotine, which is more readily absorbed across membranes [ 28 — 30 ] and may increase product addictiveness [ 31 — 32 ].
Overall, unprotonated nicotine levels were highest in European portion selections, followed by European loose tobaccos, and US tobacco portion products. The products used in this study were selected based on popularity, availability, and convenience and do not include all snus products available.
This is a major limitation of this work. Additionally, we only analyzed one point of sale per brand, thus excluding shelf life variations. The sample size per region and per manufacturer also varied considerably. We were only able to find 8 US snus products at the time the study was initiated, compared with 56 NE snus products. Similarly, we only tested one brand family for a few manufacturers as opposed to 12 brand families for another. Further involving additional manufacturers and brands would help fill key information gaps.
Our results identify potential key differences in the physical and chemical characteristics of snus products from the US and Northern Europe.
One manufacturer consistently had products with reduced TSNA levels, likely achieved by reducing or eliminating select microorganisms, to minimize TSNA formation. The lower nitrosamine levels in select snus products clearly demonstrates that tobacco products can be manufactured with reduced carcinogens.
The higher unprotonated nicotine levels associated with certain product descriptors may be achieved through inclusion of higher nicotine tobacco sources and buffering agents [ 1 ] that increase alkalinity. Higher unprotonated nicotine levels, in turn, enhance nicotine adsorption [ 28 ] and may increase product addictiveness and contribute to adverse health outcomes linked with sustained and repetitive tobacco exposure.
Future research is warranted to examine the impact of addictiveness found in reduced carcinogen exposure products, the relation of alkalinity to unprotonated nicotine, and any associated modulation. Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.
Department of Health and Human Services or the U. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Browse Subject Areas? Click through the PLOS taxonomy to find articles in your field. Abstract Introduction Snus is an oral tobacco product that originated in Sweden. Results Among all product types, moisture Funding: The authors have no support or funding to report. Competing interests: The authors have declared no competing interests exist.
Introduction Snus is a finely ground oral smokeless tobacco product that initially consisted of air-cured tobacco, salt, and water. Tobacco analysis Measurement of moisture and pH content. The tobacco flavour has the typical General taste with notes of bergamot oil, spicy pepper and citrus that is topped off with a nice salt balance.
The pouch bags are filled with moist, flavoursome contents but with a dry outer material to minimize dripping. There is a hint of salt present in the background which furher brings out the very gentle tobacco taste. G3 Slim White is a great product to replace the overly sweet Camel Mellow as it has a straightforward, smooth tobacco character.
The pouch shape is a result of the latest trend — the thin and long pouch that fits perfectly under the lip. It is a snus with a lot of flavour and a hint of salt for balance. The white sachets deliver a great snus experience as they release nicotine and flavour slowly and evenly while producing minimal dripping. A truly tasty treat and a delicious snus to replace Camel Robust with as it has better quality, comfort, taste and gives a greater nicotine experience.
This is accompanied by some sweetness and hints of salt which together with the wintergreen flavour gives a delicious snus experience. Upon placing a portion under your lip you will feel the typical tingling and cooling sensation that is common with mint flavoured products.
This product is truly innovative with its new and unique super slim shape that impressively delivers the same nicotine experience as regular pouches. The pouch bags are barely noticeable under the lip and produce very little dripping.
The two types of mint flavoured products, Camel Frost and Camel Mint can both be swapped for this great snus by General. Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds.
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