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Using snus in Australia

Profile
Australia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Australia Background
Profile
Australia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2025.   Page updated: 2026-10-31

Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.

Prevalence

Year Value Reference/Comment
2013 76,498 1A A
2016 58,125 1B A
2019 60,135 1C A
2023 83,827 1D A
2025 193,031 1E A
References:
  1. 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, S60; survey period 2013; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, T60; survey period 2016; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  3. 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, U60; survey period 2019; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  4. 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, V60; survey period 2022–2023; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  5. 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, W60; survey period 2025; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Traditional snus (2025); category changed from earlier Snus, comparability limited; unit: per cent. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
Comments:
  1. World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
Year Value Reference/Comment
2013 0.4% 2A
2016 0.3% 2B
2019 0.3% 2C
2023 0.4% 2D
2025 0.9% 2E
References:
  1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, S60; survey period 2013; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, T60; survey period 2016; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, U60; survey period 2019; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, V60; survey period 2022–2023; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, W60; survey period 2025; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Traditional snus (2025); category changed from earlier Snus, comparability limited; unit: per cent.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2013 0.2% 3A
2016 0.2% 3B
2019 0.3% 3C
2023 0.3% 3D
2025 0.3% 3E
References:
  1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, S38; survey period 2013; age 18+; Females; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent. Source flag *: RSE 25-50%; use with caution.
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, T38; survey period 2016; age 18+; Females; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, U38; survey period 2019; age 18+; Females; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, V38; survey period 2022–2023; age 18+; Females; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent. Source flag *: RSE 25-50%; use with caution.
  5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, W38; survey period 2025; age 18+; Females; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Traditional snus (2025); category changed from earlier Snus, comparability limited; unit: per cent.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2013 0.6% 4A
2016 0.4% 4B
2019 0.3% 4C
2023 0.5% 4D
2025 1.4% 4E
References:
  1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, S16; survey period 2013; age 18+; Males; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, T16; survey period 2016; age 18+; Males; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, U16; survey period 2019; age 18+; Males; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, V16; survey period 2022–2023; age 18+; Males; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Snus (before the separate 2025 categories for traditional snus and oral nicotine pouches); unit: per cent.
  5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, W16; survey period 2025; age 18+; Males; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Traditional snus (2025); category changed from earlier Snus, comparability limited; unit: per cent.
References:
  1. 1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, W60; survey period 2025; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Traditional snus (2025); category changed from earlier Snus, comparability limited; unit: per cent. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, W60; survey period 2025; age 18+; Persons; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Traditional snus (2025); category changed from earlier Snus, comparability limited; unit: per cent.
  3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, W38; survey period 2025; age 18+; Females; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Traditional snus (2025); category changed from earlier Snus, comparability limited; unit: per cent.
  4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2026. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025: Tobacco, e-cigarettes and other nicotine insights. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about aihw-phe-371-Vaping.xlsx, Table 2.40, W16; survey period 2025; age 18+; Males; Use in previous 12 months; mapped to current prevalence; source category: Traditional snus (2025); category changed from earlier Snus, comparability limited; unit: per cent.
Comments:
  1. World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/

Regulation

References:
  1. Information obtained from industry source (2014 data)
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.