How is Snus catching up in rest of the world?

**Multinic** · 10-07-09, 02:28 PM

Questions for Erik:

1 Is Thunder available in Swedish stores, and if so at what price? (Thunder is produced by v2, like Offroad and Phantom).

Why do I get the impression that high-nicotine snus seems much more popular with international than Swedish snusers. Do you have any idea?

One last question: what percentage of Swedish snusers would you guess are ex-smokers? I'm wondering because it seems that upward of 95% of snuson posters have quit or are in the process of quitting smoking, which makes me wonder whether it's common for young Swedes to be more curious about snus than cigarettes.

**tom502** · 10-07-09, 02:48 PM

I think the average American that doesn't search the internet for snus, probably only knows of Camel Snus(the American version), and I think it's not selling well. It's also the only "snus" I see at stores. I have read General is sold at some places local to me, in Kentucky, but I haven't visually seen them. I did notice on my can of General Los I got in the mail yesterday that it was made in Kentucky. I think General needs to advertise, and place some cans, maybe original portion, and loose, in some more stores, but they need to advertise, or have adverts visible like Came Snus has. Now I always show my buddies stuff I am into, and offer it. But I have never met or seen anyone else with Swedish snus.

**LordJ** · 10-07-09, 02:56 PM

Hey tom,I'm in Louisville,the only place I've seen real snus is at Liquor Barn on Fern Valley.THey have a small General Fridge.All their snus was 2 months past the best before date so I emailed Swedish Match and they said they'd send a rep to the store.Haven't been back to check it out though.

**tom502** · 10-07-09, 03:24 PM

I think people don't know what General is. I don't think they have done any advertising, or offered any sale specials. Most people, I think, just buy what they know, and if they have no idea what snus, or General is, they won't buy it. What do they charge at Liquor Barn? I wonder how much they sell? General might do well, but they have to get the name out. At these retail shops, General should have them offer a free can with any tobacco purchase. Yeah, they might end up losing some, but some might like it and come back, and that would be better than a fridge of expired cans, which I guess all get dumped.

**LordJ** · 10-07-09, 03:27 PM

I bought a can there,it was around $3.60 I think.But you're right about the lack of advertising.The only reason I knew they sold it there was the general website has a store finder.Then when I got there I had to ask where it was.

**tom502** · 10-07-09, 03:31 PM

At these retail shops, General should have them offer a free can with any tobacco purchase. Yeah, they might end up losing some, but some might like it and come back, and that would be better than a fridge of expired cans, which I guess all get dumped.

Do they sell it at the Liquor Barn on Hurstbourne? But I do think we should whenever possible, buy it, even a can, at retail shops, just to give them some business, cuz if no one buys it, that fridge won't be there too long.

**LordJ** · 10-07-09, 03:42 PM

Don't know about the one on Hurstbourne.Anyway,they had los,original portion,white portion,wintergreen,and mini mint.Sucks they had no ES.I would've bought a few.

**tom502** · 10-07-09, 03:46 PM

Are you the only person you know that uses snus? Have you shown your buddies? I'm in Louisville too, and I am the only one I know that snuses here, except you now. My buddies smoke, I have one friend that will try it and do it with me, but I doubt he'd go on his own and buy it for himself. Same with nasal snuff.

**Skimo** · 10-07-09, 03:51 PM

GAH, Good snus going to waste!? F&$^!

I was actually lucky to find this site as well a friend on the Benchmade forums PMed me about this site, Camel Snus tastes like crap, and there is NO WAY IN HELL (unless I'm really jonesing) that I'll even try marlbros snus.

I find the different flavors of snus to be quite exciting after smoking for 14 years it's great to know that I'm not putting most of my money towards tobacco tax or towards the cigarette industry.

I think the main thing is price, especially now, I buy the cheap snus, though I really love Ettan, which costs too much at the moment.

I think one of the huge differences between snus and cigarettes is the flavor, snus can be flavored at home and can be bought with many different flavor options while cigarettes come in only 3 common flavors, plain, menthol and clove.

**justintempler** · 10-07-09, 04:02 PM

Erik,

1st of all welcome.

The United States has a population of around 300 million people and we have a little over 100 stores total that sell General.

And the stores that do have fridges aren't as impressive as yours
http://swedishsnus.com/upload/newsus...e/Bild-106.jpg

http://swedishsnus.com/US/newsevents.asp?ID=3

Getsnus here in the states is a relatively new company and they will probably later today have 500 registered users on their forum. Considering that 99% of the USA has to buy our snus via web based companies like getsnus. 500 users is a drop in the bucket.

Americans are almost completely ignorant about snus. The American version of snus from RJ Reynolds is finally widely available so snus is making a showing but their product is like the difference between buying a McDonalds hamburger and a prime rib steak.

**chossy** · 10-07-09, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by Multinic

Questions for Erik:

1 Is Thunder available in Swedish stores, and if so at what price? (Thunder is produced by v2, like Offroad and Phantom).

Why do I get the impression that high-nicotine snus seems much more popular with international than Swedish snusers. Do you have any idea?

One last question: what percentage of Swedish snusers would you guess are ex-smokers? I'm wondering because it seems that upward of 95% of snuson posters have quit or are in the process of quitting smoking, which makes me wonder whether it's common for young Swedes to be more curious about snus than cigarettes.

Hi Multinc

Thunder is available, I know cause a friend mentioned trying it, however I think that due to it being V2 it´s a bit harder to come by, as the majority of shops and outlets still carry mainly Swedish Match products. I havent actually seen or asked about it at my usual stock up place, and I was just there so will be a while before I go back, but I´ll keep my eyes open for it. As for the price, I have no idea, but it should be cheaper then SM products, it´s probably a bit more expensive then Phantom but not much. Thats my guess atleast.

High nicotine snus being more popular abroad, well hard to say, but it could have something to do with most being smokers trying to cut back and need something potent to abstain from cigarettes. Quitting smoking is for many not just the nicotine it´s the feeling of lighting a cigarette and smoking it and getting the "fix" in short bursts, so I guess many really need a big nico. boost to compensate the slower constant nicotine release from snus.

The vast majority of swedish snusers in my experience are not Ex-smokers, possibly recreational but not fulltime smokers. It is more common for swedish men ( boys ) to start with snus rather then smoking, but the opposite for females. I guess it´s perceived as more manly to snus in Sweden for guys.
In the past women who used snus was very very rare, and still is, but it´s definitely more common now, in this group I can imagine ex-smokers being the majority.

Snusing has lately been boosted due to the anti-smoking laws passed banning smoking inside Restaurants and bars, so in that process many have made a switch or complemented smoking with snus for those occasions where smoking is impractical or forbidden.

As for my guess on ex-smokers among snusers, among men probably 10-15%, among women almost all of them.

But there is a significant portion of people who smoke and snus, like my dad, he´s been fulltime snuser and smoker for probably 50 years, I never asked but I guess he started smoking back in the 50´s and incorporated snusing a bit later.

I hope I covered it all, if not speak up

**LordJ** · 10-07-09, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by tom502

Are you the only person you know that uses snus? Have you shown your buddies? I'm in Louisville too, and I am the only one I know that snuses here, except you now. My buddies smoke, I have one friend that will try it and do it with me, but I doubt he'd go on his own and buy it for himself. Same with nasal snuff.

Yep,I'm the only one.I've offered it to friends @ home and work.Nobody wants to try it.They think it's like dip,even though I do my best to explain the differences,of which there are many.I did get my girlfriend to try it in exchange for me doing the dishes :twisted:
She said it burned and I told her that would go away with time,then she started complaining her stomach was hurting,which I doubt cause even when I first started I would chain Claq Qui all day.I haven't tried nasal snuff,what would you recommend?

**jcarlson** · 10-07-09, 04:38 PM

I live in the burbs of Chicago, and I am lucky in the fact that, if anything happens where I can't get snus online, I have a shop just a few miles a way that sells General.

I think snus use is growing here. The shop that I can get it at, would always have out of date tins, but the last few times, the fridge has been moved to the front more, and every tin is fresh. Looks like more and more are getting into it, and they are keeping it stocked now.

I have seen a few people use the American camel garbage, and I swear that every one of the fridges that has it (and it is almost every gas station here), routinely sells out. I'm hoping the people that try it get curious and then google snus and find out there is a whole BETTER world of Swedish snus.

Chossy, I can't believe that you, actually LIVING in Sweden (sometimes I curse my grandparents for coming to America because of snus) actually uses Offroad. I have not tasted one that I like at all.

Let us know what you think though of the "new" ones you are trying. I am a huge fan of Skruf Stark los, Onyx, and Grov Svart. Glad you are here!

**chossy** · 10-07-09, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by justintempler

Erik,

1st of all welcome.

The United States has a population of around 300 million people and we have a little over 100 stores total that sell General.

And the stores that do have fridges aren't as impressive as yours
http://swedishsnus.com/upload/newsus...e/Bild-106.jpg

http://swedishsnus.com/US/newsevents.asp?ID=3

Getsnus here in the states is a relatively new company and they will probably later today have 500 registered users on their forum. Considering that 99% of the USA has to buy our snus via web based companies like getsnus. 500 users is a drop in the bucket.

Americans are almost completely ignorant about snus. The American version of snus from RJ Reynolds is finally widely available so snus is making a showing but their product is like the difference between buying a McDonalds hamburger and a prime rib steak.

Hi Justin, thanks for the welcome.

I think the picture is clearing a bit now. Those links you posted all seem to be cigarshops. Doesn´t seem to be the best move by Swedish Match to market snus in such a narrow market, almost like it´s some form of exclusive cigarreplacement, which it ofcourse is not.

But to be honest I don´t know what would be the best way to market something completely new, and most americans seem to think it´s some form of chewing tobacco and would not buy it instead of cigarettes to try it out anyway. What would happen if you would place a big fridge in a supermarket with 20 different snusbrands and a little sign/leaflets explaining what is and how it works? I dont know, but would be interesting

Then again I wouldn´t ever encourage someone who isnt already a tobacco user to try it, but certainly a number of smokers/dippers would rather snus then smoke due to it being more convenient.

Either way something like this takes time to get a foothold, but I´m sure with time and word of mouth it could garnish a small marketshare in atleast some part of the U.S, and it might not be lucrative for every shop to sell them but a few outlets in a town could probably have enough business to always keep a fresh stock.

I´m glad for the snusers in America and the rest fo the world as long as you can purchase what you want over the internet atleast

I´ll wrap this post up with another picture I snapped when I went to my usual stock up place for lower prices, I can tell you this shop is wall to wall, floor to roof a tobaccostore, and I never have to worry about getting expired stuff from there

http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs541&d=09285&f=dsc00215904.jpg

Oh yeah they seem to be selling ice cream too, but that doesn´t sell as well

How is Snus catching up in rest of the world?

How is Snus catching up in rest of the world?

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