What is sweeping across Europe as a lifestyle trend today has roots reaching back to the 17th century. Smoke-free tobacco is not a modern invention for quitting smoking, but genuine cultural heritage.
Chewing tobacco tradition in Scandinavia
In the 17th century it was the Swedes who first began tucking snuff under their lip – a form of consumption that quickly spread across the country. In the 19th century they developed their own form of it: a moist chewing tobacco placed under the lip, releasing nicotine there over time. The oldest Swedish variety, Ettan, has been produced without interruption since 1822 – a product older than the telephone.
From workers' product to cultural heritage
In the 19th century, chewing tobacco was consumed above all by workers and sailors who could not or did not want to smoke. In Sweden it remains deeply rooted in everyday culture and can be found everywhere. The small pouches, slipped simply and discreetly under the upper lip, long ago achieved cult status in Sweden.
Why the hype in Germany right now?
Manufacturers have analysed the wishes of a new, international audience closely and positioned chewing tobacco as a deliberate, stylish product. On top of that comes a social shift: anyone wanting to consume nicotine without smoke and combustion by-products is looking for alternatives today. Chewing tobacco and nicotine pouches offer exactly that: discreet, uncomplicated, with a long history behind them.
Products such as Garant Extreme, Cuba Black, White Fox Snus, Pablo Ice Cold or Velo Snus are absolutely on trend and available everywhere, but they are not always permitted – more on this in our article on chewing tobacco legality in Germany. The legal alternative keeps growing and is finding its place on more and more retail shelves.
What was once tradition is a deliberate choice today. And the range has never been as varied as it is now – discover chewing tobacco varieties and brands or go straight to our Siberia snus range.