Vaping has become an absolute craze over the past handful of years, with even youngsters picking up the bad habit.
So much so that, certain brands could be banned due to their colourful packaging and dessert-like flavours that may appeal to younger audiences.
However, as always, when one craze dies down a bit there's always another in its midst ready to take over.
Snus, a tobacco product originating from Sweden, has seen a recent rise in popularity in the UK.
Advert
It is illegal in all of the European Union (EU) except for Sweden as well as Australia and New Zealand.
The small pillow-shaped pockets of tobacco have varying milligrams of nicotine in them and are designed to be placed against the gum underneath the lip for a quick nicotine rush.
Though this type of product was originally used by smokers as a way to gradually quit, snus is starting to become a 'trendy' alternative to vaping and smoking.
However, like all things that are deemed to be bad for your body, it comes with a cost.
It's suggested that use of snus can lead to periodontal disease and other non-carcinogenic oral conditions such as oral lesions.
Advert
These lesions are caused by the chemicals and pH levels of the products, which can affect the oral mucosa - AKA the skin on the inside of the mouth, including cheeks and lips.
The lesions are normally found wherever the pouch is placed but, thankfully, the damage is reversible if you stop using snus early enough and your tissue has the chance to return to normal.
However, the exact damage caused by these changes is unknown.
One dental practitioner shared a TikTok showing some pretty gruesome-looking close ups of gums that have been affected by oral lesions.
Advert
"But this causes lesions on the gums, like this,” the London Dentist claimed, adding: "Some studies have suggested that this might even be precancerous.
“Snus even causes gum recession and even gum inflammation and gum disease.”
There's not a huge amount of studies out there at the moment detailing how safe snus is to use, but as we all know, nicotine can be addictive and things that are used in excess can cause damage to our bodies.
Advert
It's suggested that nicotine pouches are 'better' for you than cigarettes, but the healthiest option would be doing neither.
Pharmacist Ian Budd told to Cosmopolitan: “The information we do have does not paint it in an entirely positive light.
“As snus contains nicotine, it is seen as an addictive substance, as it’s the nicotine in tobacco products that causes addiction in the first place.
"Some studies have shown that there may be a link to higher rates of pancreatic cancer, heart failure, and diabetes, although research is still ongoing."
Featured Image Credit: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Stock Image