Snus in Football—Does It Help Players Boost Their Game?

The use of snus in football is in the limelight. According to a study by Loughborough University, which surveyed 628 male and 51 female players in England, one in five professional football players is currently using snus, nicotine pouches, or both. The study also revealed that two out of five players had tried snus at least once.

Football players have been seen using snus on and off the field, causing controversy and debates among fans, coaches, and health experts. So, why is the use of snus in football on the rise, and what are the potential implications of this trend? 

Why Do Footballers Use Snus?

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According to the mentioned study by Loughborough University, these are the top reasons male and female football players cite for using snus:

The study also found some players use snus as an appetite suppressant to maintain their weight and physique. 

Additionally, a performance and medical staff member said that players use snus as a “coping mechanism” for the high-pressure environment of professional football. With long training hours, frequent matches, and the constant pressure to perform, players may turn to snus to manage stress and improve their mental focus.

What Is Snus and How Is It Used?

Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that comes in small pouches or in loose form. It’s made from finely ground tobacco mixed with water, salt, sodium carbonate, moisturizers, and aromas. 

Unlike other forms of smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, snus is not meant to be chewed or spit out. Instead, it is placed between the upper lip and gum, allowing the nicotine to be absorbed through the oral mucosa. 

Due to its discretion, convenience, and mess-free consumption, snus is a popular substitute for cigarettes and other tobacco products among professional football players in Premier League and EFL clubs.

Is Snus Safe for Football Players?

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While snus is less harmful than smoking cigarettes because it’s combustion- and smoke-free, it contains tobacco and nicotine, which are associated with several health issues, such as addiction, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and oral health problems.

Nicotine Dependence

Over half of the male players (53%) and nearly three-quarters of the female players (73%) reported key signs of snus addiction, such as cravings and using snus unintentionally. 

Players already addicted to nicotine reported the following withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Restlessness

The study also revealed that about 50% of male players want to quit within the next year, compared to a small percentage of female players.

Cardiovascular Disease

Nicotine in snus is a powerful stimulant that increases heart rate, raises blood pressure, and causes vasoconstriction. Considering football’s physical strain on the cardiovascular system, using nicotine may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

Cancer

Being a tobacco product, snus contains carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). Long-term use of snus has been linked to an increased risk of the following types of cancer:

• Esophageal
• Pancreatic
• Stomach
• Rectal

Oral Health Issues

Long-term snus use can negatively affect oral health. The primary risk is mouth lesions, including leukoplakia and snuff dipper lesions. The latter is characterized by white patches or ridges inside the mouth where snus pouches are placed. These lesions increase the risk of mouth cancer. 

Other oral health issues snus users may experience include:

• Bad breath
• Teeth staining and discoloration
• Dental caries
• Tooth loss
• Gum recession
• Periodontal disease
• Bone density loss

Is Snus Illegal in Football?

Snus is not illegal in football and is not classified as a performance-enhancing substance. Still, the Loughborough University and PFA report highlights the risk of anti-doping violations if the snus is contaminated with substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Although most clubs have banned snus, the study found that players continued to use it despite knowing the club’s policy. The report recommended personalized, external support to help players quit snus and avoid stigmatizing or marginalizing them. The PFA is also calling for more education and support for players on the health risks of snus use.

“While snus is not a banned substance, members will receive clear and accurate information to help them make informed decisions about their health.“, a PFA spokesperson said. “We are also finalizing plans to undertake research to address the knowledge gap regarding snus use among football players. This three-stage approach will review existing literature, gather first-hand accounts from players, and quantify snus use among academy and senior players. This research will inform long-term targeted initiatives to protect player health and performance.”

4 Football Players Who Use Snus

Here are four current professional players who have admitted to using snus:

1. Jamie Vardy—In his autobiography “Jamie Vardy: From Nowhere, My Story,” the Leicester City striker admitted using snus to help him “chill out” after matches. He was also seen carrying snus at Euro 2016. Two years later, Vardy revealed he had quit using snus following negative media coverage
2. Bertrand Traore—The current Ajax forward and captain of the Burkina Faso national team was seen lifting his lip and placing something in his mouth during a game between Aston Villa and Arsenal when he played for Aston Villa but denied it was snus
3. Mark Gillespie—Newcastle United’s third-choice goalkeeper was spotted in the stands during the Newcastle vs. Liverpool game in the 2022/23 season doing something similar to Bertrand Traore
4. Marcus Rashford—The Manchester United and England striker was pictured in a club with a can of snus nearby. It is unclear whether he was using it

As awareness of the health risks of snus grows and football associations and clubs educate players about its dangers, snus use among footballers is hoped to decrease. 

Nicotine Pouches—A Safer and Cleaner Alternative

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While snus remains a popular choice among footballers, nicotine pouches (nicopods) are emerging as a safer and cleaner alternative. Unlike snus, nicotine pouches are 100% tobacco-free, eliminating many of the health risks associated with snus use. 

The main ingredient in nicopods is nicotine, which is not carcinogenic. The pouches do not stain teeth or cause bad breath because they are tobacco-free. 

Other ingredients in nicopods are food-grade and include:

• Sweeteners—Add a pleasant taste to the pouches
• Baking soda—Balances pH levels for efficient nicotine absorption
• Flavorings—Enhance the taste of the pouches
• Fillers—Provide bulk to the pouches
• Stabilizers—Maintain the structure and consistency of the pouches
• Water—Keeps the pouches moist and speeds up nicotine release

Besides having food-grade ingredients, nicopods also come with the following benefits:

1. Variety of flavors and strengths—Allows users to customize their nicotine experience
2. Discretion and convenience—Can be used anytime, anywhere, on a plane, at work, or in public places without disturbing other people with smoke or tobacco odors
3. No impact on oral health—Does not cause teeth staining, bad breath, or increase the risk of oral health issues like mouth lesions

How To Use Nicopods

To have a safe and enjoyable experience with nicotine pouches, it’s important to use them the correct way. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Place a single pouch between the upper lip and the gum
2. Leave the pouch in place for 5 to 30 minutes and enjoy the flavor and nicotine release. Don’t suck, chew, or swallow the pouch to avoid potential side effects
3. Once you feel satisfied or the pouch stopped releasing flavor, remove it from your mouth and discard it in the trash

Here are some additional tips for safe consumption:

1. Use only one pouch at a time. If the current product doesn’t satisfy your cravings, opt for a stronger pouch
2. Stay hydrated to enhance nicotine absorption and reduce mouth and throat irritation
3. Take a 1–2 hour break between sessions to allow your body to process nicotine
4. Regularly change placement sites in your mouth when using nicopods to avoid gum irritation
5. Store nicotine pouches in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh, and keep them away from pets and children to prevent accidental ingestion
6. Purchase nicopods from reputable vendors to avoid consuming low-quality and potentially dangerous products

Where To Buy High-Quality Nicotine Pouches

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If you want to make your nicotine experience as enjoyable and safe as possible, get your pouches from SnusBoss. Run by a team of industry experts, SnusBoss stocks a large selection of European nicotine pouches that are superior in quality to local brands. 

American manufacturers were highly affected by the FDA’s 2016 act that classified nicotine pouches as tobacco products, imposing marketing, sale, and distribution restrictions. This discouraged U.S. companies from creating competitive products, giving European brands an 8-year advantage to design pouches with better flavor, higher moisture content, and a stronger nicotine kick. 

SnusBoss offers products from famous European brands, including:

Purchasing from SnusBoss is quick and easy:

1. Go to the online store
2. Choose your favorite brand, strength, and flavor
3. Enter your shipping and payment details

With express delivery, your pouches will be delivered to your doorstep in 2–3 business days, and you can enjoy free shipping on orders over $249.

Featured image source: Franco Monsalvo