The use of snus for quitting smoking compared with medicinal products

Abstract

Introduction:Given there are few experimental studies comparing the effects of snus and medicinal products for quitting smoking, self-reports from smokers who have used different methods for quitting smoking can be informative.Methods:Fourteen thousand seven hundred and forty-four Norwegian men aged between 20 and 50 years were selected at random from a national representative web panel and sent a questionnaire by E-mail. Of the 7,170 (48.6%) who responded, there were 1,775 former and 1,808 current smokers. They were asked about the method they used and the outcome of their last attempt to quit smoking.Results:In a regression model in which education, number of previous attempts to quit smoking, perception of risk, and age were controlled for, the odds ratio (OR) for reporting total abstinence at the time of the survey was significantly higher for those who had used varenicline (OR = 4.95, p < .006) and snus (OR = 2.68, p < .001) compared with those who had used nicotine chewing gum (reference OR = 1). For smokers who reported that they had tried to quit with the help of snus, 62.4% reported that they still used snus at the time of the survey either daily (43.8%) or occasionally (18.6%). The proportion who still used medicinal nicotine products at the time of the survey was 9.5%.Discussion:Compared with medicinal nicotine products, snus and varenicline increased the probability of quitting smoking completely, but snus seemed to maintain nicotine dependence.

Commentary on Lund et al. (2011): Consolidating the evidence on effectiveness of snus for smoking cessation - implications for public health

“…The paper by Lund et al [6] provides a timely contribution to the discussion about snus for smoking cessation. It confirms earlier Swedish research data as such and, together with another recent paper by the same lead author, it also widens the perspective by demonstrating that the same patterns can actually develop in a country where snus has not such an old tradition as in Sweden [7]. This is particularly important, as some authors have tended to devalue the importance of the Swedish experience by claiming that it could not be replicable anywhere outside Sweden [8].…”

Contrasting Smokers' and Snus Users' Perceptions of Personal Tobacco Behavior in Norway

“…This group may adopt the new innovation because of its relative advantage, and in such cases the use of snus may be characterized as a preventive innovation; a new idea (tobacco behaviour) that is adopted "in order to lower the probability of some unwanted future event" (Rogers 2003, p.233). The widespread use of snus as a method for smoking cessation has been described in other studies (K. E. Lund, McNeill, & Scheffels, 2010;K. Lund, 2013;Scheffels, Lund, & McNeill, 2012).…”

Tobacco harm reduction in the real world: has the availability of snus in Norway increased smoking cessation?

“…In Norway, approximately one quarter of smokers attempt to stop smoking each year (Lund & Lindbak, 2007), but a majority of 75% of those try to quit unassisted (Lund, 2009;Lund et al, 2010a). Among the minority who apply a specific method, snus is most common followed by nicotine chewing gum, self-help materials and nicotine patches (Lund et al, 2010a;Scheffels et al, 2012;Lund & McNeill, 2012a+b;Helleve et al, 2010).…”

“…Among the minority who apply a specific method, snus is most common followed by nicotine chewing gum, self-help materials and nicotine patches (Lund et al, 2010a;Scheffels et al, 2012;Lund & McNeill, 2012a+b;Helleve et al, 2010). This has been the case among male smokers for decades, but recent observations indicates that snus has displaced pharmaceutical nicotine as a cessation tool also among female smokers (Lund & McNeill, 2012a).…”