Abstract
BackgroundSeveral studies have investigated the role of snus as an aid to become smoke-free, but few have focused on who use snus, how they perceive snus use, why and how they quit, and their perception of being non-snus users. The purpose of this paper is to describe snus cessation patterns.MethodsRespondents are part of a 7-year follow-up of former smokers in Sweden. Initially, 1400 respondents were contacted regarding participation and 705 answered a web-based survey (response rate 50%). Out of them, 118 had used snus. The analyses include percentage distributions, as well as factor analyses of inventories, and configural frequency analysis in order to examine configurations of snus-related patterns.ResultsOver 80% found snus of great importance to succeed with smoking cessation and half of them continued to use snus on a long term. Those who experienced both physical and psychological effects of switching to snus were the ones who continued and vice versa; those who did not experience such effects quit using snus. None made use of professional help but had their own strategies (60%), and most respondents who quit obtained psychological benefits (68%).ConclusionsThe distinction between the concepts smoke-free, tobacco-free, and nicotine-free contributes to nuances in the debate on snus as harm reduction. Continued snus use does not mean that snus is not an effective aid to become smoke-free. Snus cessation is mostly mentioned in relation to advices on how to succeed, but the cessation process has rarely been described; therefore, this study expands the knowledge on this quite neglected topic and contributes to a more nuanced picture of snus cessation.
Highlights
Several studies have investigated the role of snus as an aid to become smoke-free, but few have focused on who use snus, how they perceive snus use, why and how they quit, and their perception of being nonsnus users
These respondents are part of a 7-year follow-up with the overall aim to study factors associated with long-term smoking cessation on an individual level, e.g., the use of snus
It is hard to discuss snus as an aid to becoming smoke-free without raising the question of harm reduction. Of the former smokers who made use of snus, some quit while others continued, becoming smoke-free but not tobacco/nicotine-free
Summary
Several studies have investigated the role of snus as an aid to become smoke-free, but few have focused on who use snus, how they perceive snus use, why and how they quit, and their perception of being nonsnus users. Since the mid 1980s, though, smoking prevalence has decreased and for some the use of snus plays a significant role in smoking cessation, while some go on to quit snus . Snus - a Swedish speciality Snus (sometimes referred to as “snuff”) is a moist tobacco either in loose form to pinch and place under the lip or in ready bagged portions (resembling tiny tea bags). This habit has been common in Sweden since the beginning of the twentieth century [1], but grew in popularity as an alternative to cigarettes when the negative health consequences of smoking began to attract attention. 13.6% of all Swedes (22.6 and 4.6% women) use snus on a daily basis, and male snus use is more prevalent
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