• 12/10/2005
  • Sweden
  • staff
  • Join Together (www.jointogether.org)

Swedish researchers said in a new report that use of wet snuff, or “snus,” increases the risk of oral and pancreatic cancer and fatal heart disease — findings that were attacked by snuff maker Swedish Match, Reuters reported Dec. 6.

The research review by the Swedish National Institute of Public Health and the Karolinska Institute concluded that the snus — sometimes touted as a safer alternative to smoking — carries health hazards of its own. About one in five Swedes uses snus.

“A review of findings from recent years … shows that Swedish snuff is carcinogenic and raises the risk of death from heart disease,” the report said.

Swedish Match insisted that snus is less dangerous than smoking, noting that Swedes have lower rates of tobacco-related diseases. “That which is presented as an unbiased, scientific report has been adjusted to fit with the Institute of Public Health’s anti-snuff attitude,” the company said in a statement.