More than just a can
The snus can is more than just a container of snus. Observe any snuser and you will notice his or her special relationship to this favorite of cans.
You might see how the snuser snaps his fingers on the lid before the can is opened, or how he let the can to wander between his fingers at the conference
table, on the bus or during a coffee break. Over the years, the snus can has had a variety of forms, shapes and sizes.
During the 1800's snus was often packed in paper cones or in other paper packages. It was also common that snusers had manufactured their own snus cans.
Snus cans made of metal were very popular during the mid-1800s because, besides being sturdy, they could also be hidden in a closed fist. They were therefore
known as "fist fighting cans".
At the same time as the tobacco monopoly was introduced in Sweden in the early 1900s the snus cans were standardized. The cans now had an oval or square
shape, depending on how much snus there was in them. The cans at the time contained 50, 100 or 250 grams.
It was during the 1960s as the round snus cans saw the first day of light. These cans were sold with a metal cap.
An effort was made at this time to make the different brands distinguishable from each other. The snus can of the brand Ettan for example was made yellow
to symbolize what was the typically Swedish and the brand General was made to resemble a generals black and gold colored uniform.
Today nobody knows what snus cans will look like in the future. Changes and improvements occur constantly. One thing is nevertheless certain,
snus cans will always be more than just a container of snus.