With the oral tobacco product chewing tobacco, a distinction is made between nicotine content and perceived strength, as this depends on several factors. In the past, chewing tobacco cans clearly indicated how much nicotine they contained. However, after a change in the law, this is no longer the case, and manufacturers are required to indicate the strength but not the exact nicotine content on the packaging.
In our article, we want to answer the most important questions about chewing tobacco nicotine strength and also introduce you to some products and their nicotine content.
How are chewing tobacco or snus varieties classified?
On the cans of chewing tobacco products, whether loose or in pouches, you will initially only find the description ‘normal, strong, very strong, and extremely strong.’ According to this description, chewing tobacco is classified as follows:
- 0 to 9 mg/g nicotine = Normal chewing tobacco / snus
- 10 to 20 mg/g nicotine = Strong chewing tobacco / snus
- 20 to 30 mg/g nicotine = Very strong chewing tobacco / snus
- Over 30 mg/g nicotine = Extremely strong chewing tobacco / snus
Additionally, there are varieties such as edelsnus CBD Mint, which are completely free of nicotine. These are suitable not only for smokers planning to quit smoking. For those interested in the exact Chewing tobacco nicotine content If you are interested in a variety, you can check this on the product page under properties. On our website, the content is given in mg of nicotine per gram of product.
How does nicotine get into chewing tobacco?
The tobacco plant contains nicotine as an ingredient, so all products with tobacco also contain nicotine. The nicotine content of the plant varies depending on the variety; commercial varieties contain about 0.5 to 3%, while others can have more than 8% nicotine. Furthermore, not only the variety plays a role, but also weather conditions, fertilization, and plant density.
For the production of chewing tobacco, the tobacco is ground and mixed with water, salt, and flavors. It is then loosely packed in cans or in cellulose pouches. When used, the pouch is placed under the upper lip and the nicotine unfolds through the oral mucosa its effect.
All White Nicotine Pouches do contain nicotine but are completely free of tobacco. During production, nicotine is extracted from the tobacco plant and then added to the product either in liquid form or as nicotine salt. This has the advantage that the chewing tobacco does not drip during use and does not stain the teeth.
Chewing tobacco nicotine vs cigarettes
You will often hear that chewing tobacco has a higher nicotine content than cigarettes. However, this cannot be answered so generally. The nicotine content of chewing tobacco varies depending on the variety and can even be nicotine-free. A cigarette contains 12 mg of nicotine, and 1 to 3 mg of it is absorbed when smoking.
In strong chewing tobacco varieties, the nicotine content is over 30 mg/g, but not all nicotine is absorbed by the body. The amount that enters the body is about 10 to 20%.
Chewing tobacco nicotine content vs perceived strength
The actual strength of chewing tobacco depends not only on nicotine but also on moisture, pH value, and flavor. Moist chewing tobacco drips more and reaches the brain faster. However, the effect does not last as long as with dry chewing tobacco. Additionally, flavors like mint can increase the perceived strength and provide an extra freshness kick. The pH value indicates how much nicotine can be absorbed by the body. The higher the value, the more is absorbed.
What are the strongest chewing tobacco varieties?
Among the strongest chewing tobacco varieties are Siberia, Offroad, T45, and Soldat. Siberia Red -80 Degrees for example has a nicotine content of 43 mg/g. This variety is only suitable for experienced chewing tobacco users and should not be tried by beginners.
