Use of snus by males may lead to a higher risk of death from prostate cancer or prematurely from any cause, say researchers at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

A study that analysed health data collected from Swedish construction workers between 1971 and 1992 showed those who used snus, but did not smoke, had a 24 per cent increased risk of dying from prostate cancer than men who never used tobacco, the study shows. Nearly 20 per cent had an increased risk of dying from any cause, according to a synopsis of results released by the Chan School.
“There is some evidence from animal studies that nicotine can promote cancer progression, and snus users have high blood levels of nicotine. Snus users are also exposed to other carcinogens in tobacco even though it is a smokeless product,” said Sarah Markt, a research associate in the Department of Epidemiology at the Chan School. The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Swedish Match has an application pending before US tobacco regulators to have snus accepted as a reduced risk tobacco product. If successful, it would mark the first time regulators approved a product for the reduced risk category.