Snus Misconception

[Dgtl Dvnt]

It is difficult to have a rational discussion about snus at this forum because far too many people here are only enamored of the bright and shiny colors of the cans and how big "the collection" is. (Cue ooohs and ahhs for the amazing feat of buying a can of Romeo y Julieta and/or Lucky Strike....) Hell, at least cigarette fans don't go on and on talking about how many brands are in "the collection"; nor do they constantly regale you with that wondrous tale all about how they obtained that rare and forbidden pack of Luckies from (gasp!) Scandinavia.

To me snus culture is much closer to the cultures of cigar aficionados. People discuss, collect, savor, recommend snus they love. People tell stories of how they got those Cubans. Even boast how big their humidor is. How does that make the discussion irrational?

[lxskllr]

On top of that, I used to discuss special cigarettes and tobacco that I picked up. Odd handrolling tobacco, imported cigarettes, great rolling papers... I'm a tobacco fan, and I like it in just about all it's forms. As it happens, I'm into snus and snuff now ;^)

[RobsanX]

It is difficult to have a rational discussion about snus at this forum because far too many people here are only enamored of the bright and shiny colors of the cans and how big "the collection" is. (Cue ooohs and ahhs for the amazing feat of buying a can of Romeo y Julieta and/or Lucky Strike....) Hell, at least cigarette fans don't go on and on talking about how many brands are in "the collection"; nor do they constantly regale you with that wondrous tale all about how they obtained that rare and forbidden pack of Luckies from (gasp!) Scandinavia.

I'd rather just enjoy my snus instead of dissecting it like some science experiment. :roll:

[stubby2]

Okay, I'll throw in my .02 cents in this thing, as I do think it needs to be discussed.

I think Camel SNUS has done more for Swedish Match snus then Swedish Match has. And now they want us to sell it for them. Do we at least get a free tee-shirt and hat? That's not going to work.

I do think snus is the best product out there for people who can't quit smoking, and it would be very good for smokers to know about it, but I don't have the means to do that. I don't even know of anyplace in Wisconsin where I can buy it. How are smokers going to try it if the only way to do so is order it online? Swedish Match needs to have a much bigger presence in brick and mortar shops.

Take a look at the Discreet packaging. Now that's something that could get the ball rolling. Swedish Match does it with the samples, why not put a cans worth in it. You could put it on the shelf right along side Redman.

And please, something more then just the General line, as that's a sure prescription for failure. How about a simple line up of your classic snus as in Ettan, Grovsnus, 01, 02, Roda Lacket, and a few of the flavored snuses. A much better chance of hitting it off with the public at large with that line up.

Right now Swedish Match is very much a niche player in the US because that's how they've been playing it.

[daruckis]

ive let about a dozen people try my snus, and not a single person is one who will buy their own snus, they might bum one from me on occasion but thats it.

and for the record i agree with tom502 with tourney being better than discreet. sorry, i just dont like minis, dont like sweet snus, and even though the swedish style was very good, i stopped using it about as quick as id started. just didnt keep reaching for it.

[sgreger1]

WHY SNUS CANNOT BE THAT SUCCESSFULL IN AMERICA:


Because snus i healthier, but the problem is, you would never be allowed to sell a flavored tobacco product (think of the kids) and claim it is healthier. You would have to (by law) say it causes mouth cancer and is not a safe alternative to smoking etc. Too much government regulation.


Therefore your main selling point is ruined, and you are now in the same boat as e-cigs.

[Veganpunk]

WHY SNUS CANNOT BE THAT SUCCESSFULL IN AMERICA:


Because snus i healthier, but the problem is, you would never be allowed to sell a flavored tobacco product (think of the kids) and claim it is healthier. You would have to (by law) say it causes mouth cancer and is not a safe alternative to smoking etc. Too much government regulation.


Therefore your main selling point is ruined, and you are now in the same boat as e-cigs.

All true. Oh and the reason we're talking about the wonders of snus is because this is a board called SnusOn. Go figure.

[chossy]

Liandri, I agree with you. It is difficult to have a rational discussion about snus at this forum because far too many people here are only enamored of the bright and shiny colors of the cans and how big "the collection" is. (Cue ooohs and ahhs for the amazing feat of buying a can of Romeo y Julieta and/or Lucky Strike....) Hell, at least cigarette fans don't go on and on talking about how many brands are in "the collection"; nor do they constantly regale you with that wondrous tale all about how they obtained that rare and forbidden pack of Luckies from (gasp!) Scandinavia.

This is the funniest thing I ever read here, and it´s all true. :lol: :lol:

[eyephantom]

I'm indifferent to swedish snus remaining an esoteric product in 'merica. sure, I'll provide a brief overview when questioned at a bar, and will break out numerical data when questioned as to why I'm using "dip." I will never approach a smoker, that's not only pretentious but annoying as ****. Snus info is pretty prevalent on this here interwebs, I'll leave it at that.

[jtwh20]

I'll put my 2 cents in...

[rant]

I agree that we need to see Swedish Match or any other Swedish snus maker open up the distribution chain to include brick and mortar shops.

Having a SMALL number of specialty tobacco shops carry it WILL NOT get the market penetration they need - Hell even a partnership with one of the big tobacco companies in the US could REALLY open things up.

I am sooooo damn tired of the politicians with the save the children crap!!!

I know when I started smoking it wasn't some flavored cigarette from camel that enticed me. I stole my fathers Kents and went behind the shed to smoke (and cough / hack like crazy). EDIT: I got hell for that and didn't smoke again til I was 16 - Marlboro Red - No fancy flavor.

While I'll agree there should be age requirements to purchase tobacco products, education begins at home!! We don't need big brother making MORE laws to keep products out of the hands of age appropriate law abiding citizens.

Seems tobacco is the punching bag everyone wants to take a swing at.

If they (the politicians, and the i want to decide whats right for you folks) really wanted to "save the children" they would eliminate the Beer ads that make seem like having a Bud Light makes you somehow smarter and sexier that the guy drinking Papst...

[/rant]

[kjoerup]

I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes here. It's just obvious that a lot of people (not everyone) at this forum are so dazzled by snus that they're not being realistic about the market realities. And, yes, I do find it rather disingenuous when told that it is our job to promote a product that Swedish Match is failing at promoting.

Here is what amazes me. Toque snuff is virtually a one-man operation, extant for little more than three years. Roderick has singlehandedly and more successfully promoted his (excellent) snuff than the giant Swedish Match mega-corporation has done with its own product in the US. Go figure.

You cannot have it both ways. Snus is either a mass-market commodity (as it is in Sweden), or it is a luxury product, which by definition is pricey and exclusive – and caters to an exclusive, limited segment of the market (à la premium cigars). And, no, snus are not premium cigars, and they will not succeed if they are distributed as such.

I am well aware of the advertising restrictions and government interference that hinders tobacco promotion in the U.S. This has not prevented Camel snus from turning up everywhere. I see a "Camel Snus Sold Here" sign on the door of just about every convenience store and gas station theses days. Swedish Match apparently has no problem placing their Red Man chewing tobacco in virtually every store throughout the U.S., so they certainly cannot claim that they are shut out of distribution channels. They are a major player in the American tobacco business, make no mistake about it. All of which makes their dismal snus distribution all the more puzzling.

[jtwh20]

And, no, snus are not premium cigars, and they will not succeed if they are distributed as such.

I am well aware of the advertising restrictions and government interference that hinders tobacco promotion in the U.S. This has not prevented Camel snus from turning up everywhere. I see a "Camel Snus Sold Here" sign on the door of just about every convenience store and gas station theses days. Swedish Match apparently has no problem placing their Red Man chewing tobacco in virtually every store throughout the U.S., so they certainly cannot claim that they are shut out of distribution channels.

They are a major player in the American tobacco business, make no mistake about it. All of which makes their dismal snus distribution all the more puzzling.

I agree - I was doing some research last night, and they ALREADY hve a foot hold in the US, with RedMan, Longhorn and TimberWolf (in fact they make Triumph snus).

If they wanted to capture the US snus market they could do it quite easily if so desired.

[tom502]

I agree. But I think they need to figure out a way to not need refrigeration, maybe a sealed foil bag in the can, and get these on the shelves next to the Redman. But I also think it needs to be realized it is snus, and how it's used, so some form of mass education may be needed, but I think Camel Snus may have at least let people know snus goes in the top. I also think they need a stand out strong brand that people will immediatly like, like Onyx, or Claq Qui. I think these would sell more than say, General White, to the American gas station market.

[Karanya]

Most gas stations/convenience stores have nice, big fridges, just like those you see in the videos showing snus for sale in Sweden. You know the ones; here, they are used to store 20 oz. bottles of soda along with beer and whatnot.

Of course, the problem is that tobacco must be stored behind the counter. I don't know if this is a legal requirement everywhere now, but it certainly is in some states. In any case, they can't put the snus in the big ol' freezers, and those won't fit behind the counter, either. There are little freezers, of course, but that would take up premium display space...

So, as others have said, packing to allow snus to remain at room temperature is a must. Ideally, I'd like to see the snus vacuum packed in a plastifoil bag inside the regular can. While it would be great to see giant cases of every snus under the sun, it'll be a while I think.

Swedish snus gaining American acceptance is a long way off, I fear. The salt (as much as I love it) is a big factor, as is the relatively scarcity of flavors that appeal to the typical unrefined American palate. Unfortunately, any attempt to develop flavors your average McDonald's-going American will like is going to be met with backlash from the anti-tobacco crowd, who will insist that anything that sounds like it tastes good is being marketed to children.

Then there's the association with dip... and anyone born in my generation or more recently will immediately think, "Hmm, it's tobacco and it goes in your mouth... OMFG FACE ROT!!!"

I hate to say it, but as much as I love snus, I think it will continue to be a niche product in the United States. Most would take a large percentage chance of destroying their lungs than any (perceived) chance of uglifying their pretty faces.

--K

[tom502]

Well.... maybe. But I do think that Camel Snus has made "snus" known, and I think most people, well those I know, know snus is not "dip". A while most here it seems are not fans of Camel, it did introduce people to snus, and caused many to research it. So, I think because of Camel largely people know snus is not the same as dip. I could be wrong, but it seems like this to me.