All-white nicotine pouches, nicotine snus, nicotine portions, or tobacco-free snus. A dear child has many names, but for your gums, the reality is often the same: soreness, irritation, and even permanent damage. Although these products successfully help smokers switch to less harmful alternatives, the local impact on the oral mucosa has long been an ignored side effect affecting between 70 % and 95 % of all users (4,6).
In an interview with 2Firsts (6), Bengt Wiberg, the inventor behind Stingfree Protex® (11), points out that snus-induced lesions are not something consumers necessarily have to accept. The industry can no longer ignore the health risks that affect an overwhelming majority of users.
From the deserts of Riyadh to a global breakthrough
Bengt himself quit smoking in 1991, entirely with the help of snus. The decision was made in connection with him evacuating his family from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, just days before the Gulf War broke out – a time when he served as CFO for what was then the world's largest construction project (ABV Rock Group). Despite the success of remaining smoke-free for decades, a new threat later emerged: severe pain and damage to his oral cavity caused by snus use. It was the acute risk of being forced to return to life-threatening cigarettes due to these ailments that gave birth to the idea for the barrier technology. He realized that no one should have to choose between life-threatening smoking and a sore oral mucosa.
Industry Recognition and Simple Advice
The problem of mucosal changes is also confirmed by one of the largest players. Swedish Match (9), which writes on its website: ”Almost all snus users develop a change in their oral mucosa at the location where they place the snus, known as a ”snus lesion."
When industry representatives are confronted with users getting sores and pain, the response is often that they should simply stop. In an interview with The World (December 2025), the following was stated (10): ”If users are having problems with the product, it is appropriate to stop using it.
Asking a user to ”just stop” when they are experiencing discomfort is logical in theory, but in practice, it risks driving former smokers back to life-threatening cigarettes.
The Scientific Weight: A Study on Professional Users
Despite white snus having been on the market for 10 years, the number of independent studies on its impact on oral health is alarmingly low. To fill this knowledge gap, a clinical study was conducted and published in Acta Odontologica Scandinavica (2025). Study (1) carries particularly high scientific weight due to its methodology:
- ParticipantsStudies were performed on 23 Swedish professional dentists who themselves used snus daily – a group with a unique ability to objectively assess their own oral health.
- Within-individual designThis is also called a longitudinal comparison where each participant serves as their own control group. The participants' status at baseline was compared with the results after 5 weeks of using the Stingfree barrier on the exact same individuals.
What does p=0.0002 mean?
The results in study (1) showed a reduction in the severity of oral lesions with a p-value of 0.0002. In scientific statistics, this means that the result is extremely significant. It means that the probability that the positive change is due to chance is only 0.02 % (2 in 10,000).
- 100 % elimination of severe mucosal lesions (Axéll grade 3-4).
- 100 % elimination of self-reported gingivitis (gum inflammation).
- 90 % reduction bleeding and irritation of the gums.
- 52% reduction of the average degree of damage (Axéll grade 1-4)
How does the principle behind the barrier work?
The Protex® barrier technique is based on a seemingly simple but medically crucial principle: physically separating the contents of the pouch from the sensitive mucous membrane of the gums. A regular nicotine pouch leaks nicotine and flavorings in all directions, causing constant chemical and mechanical irritation. As the image below shows, the Stingfree pouch has two unique sides:
* The white side: Releases nicotine and flavorings exactly as usual, but directed towards the inside of the lip. .
* The blue page (PROTEX®): Consists of a patented, waterproof cover placed directly against the gums. This barrier prevents direct contact between the snus contents and the oral mucosa.
Scientific weight on par with historical medical milestones
To understand the weight of p = 0.0002, one can compare it with the famous aspirin study (Physicians’ Health Study, 1988). He proved that acetylsalicylic acid aspirin) prevents heart attacks with a statistical significance of p < 0.00001. That study was so well-established that it was stopped early because it was considered unethical not to give all participants access to the result. That a study on a barrier principle reaches p = 0.0002 – meaning the probability of chance is only 0.02 % – is an extremely strong indicator that is rarely seen in this industry.
According to population surveys from the Public Health Agency of Sweden (12) and Statistics Sweden (13) (2024), approximately 15–18 % of adult Swedes use snus daily, which corresponds to about 1.4–1.6 million people. Globally, several million people use snus. The popular brand ZYN (nicotine pouches), owned by Philip Morris International through Swedish Match, is currently sold in over 120,000 stores in the USA alone.
Global voices from the research world
The Stingfree technique is now being cited in several major international publications. In a press release (2) from CoEHAR and in subsequent studies, leading experts share their views:
“Results indicate that the new technology can potentially significantly reduce oral irritation/mucosal irritation in the mouth compared to traditional snus and nicotine pouches, even after a short period of use. These results underscore the importance of continued research into innovative product designs aimed at reducing negative effects on oral health.”
— Dr. Giusy Rita Maria La Rosa, DDS, PhD, University of Catania and lead author of the study.
”Not all nicotine pouches are created equal. Our pilot study on dentists showed that switching to a nicotine pouch with a barrier can significantly reduce mucosal irritation and eliminate gum inflammation. This is a major step forward for harm reduction.”
— Dr. Riccardo Polosa, MD, PhD, Professor of Internal Medicine and founder of CoEHAR.
”We know that many people use snus and nicotine pouches, and one of their primary concerns is oral health.”, said Prof. Karl Fagerström, one of the study's authors. ”This new technique could be a step forward in alleviating these concerns. No one experienced a worsening of their condition, which is quite unusual in studies of this kind.”
— Karl Fagerström, PhD and professor of psychology and a pioneer in nicotine research.
Study of Saudi users of nicotine pouches 2025 (3)
“The ongoing development of new ONP technology aims to reduce specific risks and improve user experience. Innovations such as impervious barrier technology (e.g., Stingfree PROTEX®) aim to reduce local oral irritation, and preliminary studies, including self-reported oral health outcomes after switching from traditional snus or other portion bags, suggest a reduction in mucosal irritation and improvement in gum conditions with the use of such barrier-protected portion bags.”
– Dr. Hassan Alkharaan, et al., DDS/BDS/PhD Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.
Smoke Free Sweden: ”Innovation minimizes harm.”
In the report ”Cigarettes to Smiles” (5) from Smoke Free Sweden (2025), the study on Swedish snus-using dentists is referenced as evidence of technological development in harm reduction:
”En studie bland svenska tandläkare som använde snus eller nikotinpåsar (ONPs). De rapporterade en minskning av slemhinneförändringar (från 95,7 % till 69,9 %) och tandköttsirritation (med 90 %) efter exklusiv användning av en ny ONP-teknik under fem veckor. Förbättringar och innovationer inom ONP-området sker kontinuerligt och, som denna studie visar, med ett ständigt syfte att minimera skador.”
Forward-looking research
Bengt Wiberg and Stingfree AB are closely following ongoing research to ensure that the technology meets future demands. Two of the most important studies currently underway concerning white snus/nicotine pouches and oral health are:
Folktandvården Stockholms län, under the leadership of Dr. Lars Fredriksson, in collaboration with Karolinska InstitutetA comprehensive clinical study (8) of young snus users' oral health, with the specific aim of comparing the incidence of oral health problems between those who use white snus, those who use traditional snus, and those who do not use snus at all. The study will be published shortly in the scientific journal Oral Diseases and the over 300 participating dental patients have been followed for three years.
”I share the view that the damage from white snus occurs faster and is more aggressive than from tobacco snus.” – Dr. Lars Fredriksson, Public Dental Care Stockholm.
University of Gothenburg (Sahlgrenska) led by Dr. Gita GaleA clinical dental study focusing on the long-term inflammation and mucosal changes that white snus appears to cause, estimated to take five years. The study (7) particularly focuses on the group where use is most widespread, which is young adults aged 16-29.
“The changes associated with the use of white snus also appear to be more difficult to heal.” “The damage from white snus has been shown to persist for many months, even up to a year.” – Dr. Gita Gale, University of Gothenburg.
Scientific References (DOI & Sources)
(1) Main study (Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 2025) Self-reported oral health outcomes after switching to a novel nicotine pouch technology. doi.org/10.2340/aos.v84.43805
(2) CoEHAR press release (2025)
(3) Saudi Studies (Frontiers 2025) Nicotine pouch use and oral health risk assessment. 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1607656
(5) Smoke Free Sweden Report (November 2025) – Oral Nicotine Commission report: cigarettes to smiles.
(6) 2Firsts Interview – Bengt Wiberg on snus, white snus, and oral health.
(7) University of Gothenburg – Chronic inflammation raises questions about white snus.
(8) Dental Journal She's looking for answers about white snus.
(9) Swedish Match - Oral Health Effects
(10) The World December 2025 – The Swedish Experience
(11) Stingfree Protex® technology
(12) The Public Health Agency of Sweden – Adult use of tobacco and nicotine products
(13) Statistics Sweden (SCB) Fewer people smoke, more use snus.
Other studies and articles citing Stingfree Protex barrier technology and oral health
Snus forum2025) – New Study: Swedish Innovation Reduces Oral Injuries from Snus
Roll Call USA (2025) – In Sweden, smokeless products drive tobacco harm reduction push
Nicotine Insider USA (2025) Stingfree is softening the switch for smokers