Is Snus Illegal in the UK?

TL;DR

Yes, snus is illegal to sell or import in England, even for personal use. Under UK law, traditional snus - a smokeless tobacco product for oral use - is banned due to health concerns, including links to oral cancer. The ban has been in place since the early 1990s under EU law and remains in effect post-Brexit. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legal and widely available, but traditional snus is not.

In this article we are going to talk about what snus is, and get to the bottom of its legal status in the UK. Opinions vary, with some thinking there are grey areas and legal loopholes and others not sure what the difference between snus and nicotine pouches is in the first place.

So what gives? Let’s break it down.

What Is Snus?

Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that originated in Sweden. It comes in small pouches that you place under your upper lip - kind of like a tea bag for your gums. There’s no smoke and no need for a lighter. Snus is illegal in the UK.

Unlike nicotine pouches, which are tobacco-free, snus contains actual tobacco leaf, which is ground to a fine dust, pasteurised and moistened. It delivers a hit of nicotine without the lung damage of smoking. But it’s still a tobacco product, and that makes all the difference health-wise and legally.

Why Is Snus Banned in the UK?

The UK, along with the EU, banned snus back in 1992. At the time, there were health concerns about the rise of new smokeless tobacco products and their potential health risks - especially oral cancer, gum disease and the addiction risk to young people.

Snus is deeply embedded in Swedish culture and the country negotiated an exemption when it joined the EU in 1995 (which is why you’ll still find snus legally sold there). But for the rest of Europe, and post-Brexit UK, the ban stands. The reasoning? Even though snus is less harmful than cigarettes, it’s still addictive and still contains carcinogens which pose a high risk of many other types of cancer - more on that below. (1),(2)

Both the UK and countries in the EU have set targets that aim to reduce tobacco use, and ultimately phase it out.The UK’s ‘Smoke-Free Generation’ is an example of this. So as a tobacco product, snus is unlikely to ever gain legal approval in the UK.

Can You Buy Snus Online in the UK?

You might technically be able to find a black market website that’ll let you place an order, but legally? No - snus can’t be sold in the UK, full stop. That includes physical stores and UK-based online retailers.

Some overseas retailers do ship snus to the UK, but you’re rolling the dice. Customs can and do seize tobacco imports that break UK law, and you won’t get a refund if your parcel disappears. In short: ordering snus online might seem like a loophole, but it often ends with nothing in your mailbox and a warning on your record.

Can You Import Snus in the UK?

Legally, according to HMRC and UK legislation, the answer is still no. The UK doesn’t list snus as a tobacco product you can bring into the country under personal import rules. That means there’s:

• No official allowance for bringing snus into the UK.

• No duty-free exemption and no “just one can” personal use loophole.

• No UK retailers authorised to import and sell it.

• A high risk that your package will be seized by customs.

The UK’s tobacco import rules only cover cigarettes, cigars, rolling tobacco, and heated tobacco products - not oral tobacco like snus. (3) Snus falls under the category of oral snuff, which is banned for sale and supply in the UK under the Tobacco for Oral Use (Safety) Regulations 1992. (4)

There’s no legal route to bring snus into England, even in small amounts. In practice, some travellers from Sweden or Norway do bring snus in for personal use, but this may or may not get confiscated. (5)

You’re taking a risk by bringing snus back with you from abroad. Even personal-use quantities can be confiscated. If you’re happy risking the money, then fine. Or you can opt for nicotine pouches that work exactly the same and are safer.

In Plain English

• You can’t bring snus into England from abroad under the personal tobacco allowance.

• Sneaking just a pouch or two? Technically illegal - snus isn’t listed under permitted items and is banned from sale and import.

• Customs can and will seize snus if they check and you’ll get zero refund or allowance.

What Are the Health Risks of Snus?

Snus is often touted as “safer than smoking”, and it possibly is. It doesn’t involve combustion, so you're not inhaling tar or carbon monoxide. But “safer” doesn’t mean safe.

Snus still contains tobacco and known carcinogens. Long-term use has been linked to increased risks of pancreatic cancer and oral cancers, which is why it was banned in the UK and Europe in the first place - people would be swapping one dangerous tobacco product for another.(6),(7)

But like most tobacco-restricted products, there are alternatives.

If you’re looking for a harm reduction tool, look no further than nicotine pouches. They do exactly the same thing as snus, minus the carcinogenic harm. You can also try other legal tobacco-free alternatives like nicotine strips and nicotine gum.

Is Snus the Same as Nicotine Pouches?

No they’re not the same - and both come in small white pouches that sit under your lip, both deliver nicotine, and both are smokeless. But that’s where the similarities end.

Snus vs Nicotine Pouches: What’s the Difference?

Snus contains tobacco and is banned in the UK because of its health risks. Whereas nicotine pouches are completely tobacco-free and offer a legal way to enjoy nicotine using the same delivery method.

If you’re after the ritual, feel or discretion of snus but don’t want to risk breaking UK law, nicotine pouches are the way to go - they also taste better.

Is It Legal to Use Nicotine Pouches in the UK?

Yes. Nicotine pouches are 100% legal for adult use in the UK. They’re regulated as consumer products under general product safety laws and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

That means:

• No prescription required.

• Sales are restricted to over 18’s.

• Can be used in public transport, office, and indoors

What Are the Legal Alternatives to Snus in the UK?

There's an wide variety of nicotine pouch brands that give you a similar experience to snus - minus the legal grey area and tobacco content. Here is a list of the top 5 best selling nicotine pouch brands and why they stand out:

• ZYN - A global leader with clean, crisp flavours like Cool Mint and Espressino. Available in 3mg or 6mg, up to 9mg - great brand for beginners.

• Nordic Spirit - Swedish-made, balanced flavours and slim-format pouches. Great for all-day use.

• VELO - Backed by British American Tobacco, VELO pouches are smooth, discreet, and come in a wide range of strengths.

• Pablo and Killa - Extra strong pouches, often used by former snus users looking for higher nicotine content.

They’re all discreet, portable, and effective at managing cravings and unlike snus - especially in places where you can’t vape or smoke.

Is Zyn Snus?

No Zyn is not snus. It is a tobacco-free pouch that is filled with plant-based fibers soaked in nicotine and flavourings. Zyn works just the same way as snus but eliminates the carcinogenic risk associated with tobacco.

They’re not officially recognised medical quit aids like nicotine gum or patches, but they provide exactly the same function and many ex-smokers and vapers use them as part of their harm reduction toolkit.

Countries Where Snus Is Banned

If you’re wondering where snus is actually allowed, the list is short:

Snus is banned in:

• The EU (except Sweden)

• The UK

• Australia

Snus is legal in:

• Sweden (full exemption)

• Norway (not part of EU)

• United States (sold as a smokeless tobacco product)

• Russia

• Switzerland (not part of EU)

Even in places where it’s legal, regulations around labelling, strength, and marketing differ significantly.

Final Thoughts: Snus in the UK - Is It Worth the Risk?

While traditional snus (which contains tobacco) is banned, tobacco-free nicotine pouches that look and feel similar are perfectly legal. If you’re looking for that satisfying under-the-lip buzz, tobacco-free nicotine pouches give you a legal, widely available alternative. Same format. Same nicotine hit. No legal risk.

Nicotine pouches are also cheaper than tobacco and vaping. Explore the best multi-buy deals available in the UK.

Sources

1. PubMed Central (PMC / NIH) - European Commission asked to investigate use of snus to reduce smoking

2. ScienceDirect - Risk assessment of snus use

3. UK Government (gov.uk) - Bringing goods into the UK for personal use

4. UK Legislation - The Tobacco for Oral Use (Safety) Regulations 1992

5. HMRC - Excise Notice 476: Tobacco Products Duty - Oral Snuff Classification

6. ResearchGate - Oral use of Swedish moist snuff (snus) and risk for cancer

7. iCliniq - Snus: Cancer Risk and Side Effects

8. Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) - How snus is replacing smoking in Norway