Swedish Match Scientific Publications
Science has for the last 60 years been an integral part of Swedish Match’s business. Over this period, the company has published close to 200 peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Initially, the tobacco plant was the focus of research efforts. In “Tobacco isoprenoids - precursors of important aroma constituents” [1] the findings on how aroma compounds are formed via biodegradation of tobacco isoprenoids are summarized. One of its authors, Curt R. Enzell, had the novel idea to put loose snus in a pouch. This change revolutionized the way the product was used, paving the way for the Swedish Experience.
In 1975, the scientific department turned their attention towards toxicology. These investigations which ultimately led to the development of GOTHIATEK®, the strictest quality standard ever developed for a tobacco product, with a focus on product safety and consumer protection. The “Formation of Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNA) During Air-Curing: Conditions and Control” [2] for example, helped Swedish Match to better understand how different parameters—such as temperature and humidity during air curing of tobacco—played a role in the formation of TSNAs. This information ultimately led to the realisation of decreased levels of TSNAs in our snus products.
With the increase of snus usage in Sweden, the company also wanted to understand how snus was replacing cigarette smoking and, consequently, how that shift impacted public health. “Swedish snus and the GOTHIATEK® standard” [3] outlined how and why Swedish Match developed GOTHIATEK, illustrating the importance of reducing the levels of unwanted substances in oral tobacco. As snus usage grew amongst Swedish men, it became important to understand which role snus played and could play in transitioning smokers away from cigarettes. The “Population-based survey of cessation aids used by Swedish smokers” [4] researched consumption patterns amongst tobacco users, finding that oral tobacco products were the most frequently reported cessation aids amongst Swedish men, whereas Swedish women reported other methods for smoking cessation.
With the success of snus and the advent of nicotine pouches, the scientific department turned their attention to the difference in nicotine delivery between nicotine pouches and tobacco/based oral products. “Pharmacokinetic Comparison of a Novel Non-tobacco-Based Nicotine Pouch (ZYN) With Conventional, Tobacco-Based Swedish Snus and American Moist Snuff” [5] shows that nicotine pouches deliver nicotine in a similar way to that of existing smokeless products, with no significant adverse effects. By extension, the efficacy of nicotine pouches in reducing withdrawal symptoms should therefore be similar to that of existing smokeless products, thereby highlighting the potential use of these pouches in aiding smokers to reduce or stop combustible tobacco use.
With regards to the toxicology work of the scientific department, it was especially important to understand what the nicotine pouches contained compared to snus and nicotine replacement therapies. “Harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in two novel nicotine pouch products in comparison with regular smokeless tobacco products and pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapy products (NRTs)” [6] screened 36 HPHCs amongst nicotine pouches (ZYN), snus products, and NRTs. The results showed that the pouches contained fewer and a similar number of constituents to the tested snus and NRT products, respectively.
The scientific work conducted over the last 60 years significantly contributed to the strategic objective of Swedish Match. It was the foundation for critical business decisions, and for transitioning the company from a state-owned tobacco entity focused on cigarettes to a company that offers consumers high-quality, reduced-risk tobacco and nicotine products.
References
- Enzell, C.R. and I. Wahlberg, Tobacco isoprenoids-precursors of important aroma constituents. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 1990. 62(7): p. 1353-1356.
- Staaf, M., et al., Formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) during air-curing: conditions and control. Beiträge zur Tabakforschung International/Contributions to Tobacco Research, 2005. 21(6): p. 321-330.
- Rutqvist, L.E., et al., Swedish snus and the GothiaTek® standard. Harm Reduction Journal, 2011. 8(1): p. 1-9.
- Rutqvist, L.E., Population-based survey of cessation aids used by Swedish smokers. Harm Reduct J, 2012. 9: p. 38.
- Lunell, E., et al., Pharmacokinetic Comparison of a Novel Non-tobacco-Based Nicotine Pouch (ZYN) With Conventional, Tobacco-Based Swedish Snus and American Moist Snuff. Nicotine Tob Res, 2020. 22(10): p. 1757-1763.
- Back, S., et al., Harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) in two novel nicotine pouch products in comparison with regular smokeless tobacco products and pharmaceutical nicotine replacement therapy products (NRTs). BMC Chemistry, 2023. 17(1): p. 9.
