Nowadays, snus is consumed by a large number of people, including athletes. They praise the small and compact pouches not only for their great taste but also for the effects they gain after consumption. Interestingly, football players are the athletes closest to snus. Why is this the case, and which well-known names are most inclined towards it?
On the market today, you can find several types of smokeless products designed to serve as a substitute for cigarettes. The most well-known among them are nicotine pouches and snus. At first glance, these two products may seem very similar, but in reality, they have several differences.
Nicotine pouches are small pouches containing nicotine extracted from the Nicotiana tabacum plant. They combine it with additives such as flavour enhancers, sweeteners, water, and preservatives.
Nicotine pouches come in interesting flavours and various intensities. However, unlike snus, they do not contain tobacco, which is one of the reasons why they are not as popular among footballers as snus.
Snus is a smokeless tobacco product sold either in pouches or loose form (so called loose snus). Its characteristic feature is that, besides tobacco, it also contains aromatic compounds that elevate the user experience to a new level.
Snus comes in many variations and intensities. Various types of pouches (original or white portion) and sizes (mini, slim, super slim, normal and large) are available, catering to everyone’s preferences.
The wide range of options and several effects make snus a popular product, which even elite footballers from the Premier League have been reaching for in recent years.
Snus is currently very popular within football. The exact number of players using it is not precisely known. Some say it’s around 35 to 40 %, but experts agree that it is much higher, especially among elite athletes from the Premier League.
This fact is confirmed by investigations conducted by The Athletic portal. Last year, they focused on monitoring players during significant and crucial matches, finding that many of them were using snus directly during the games.
For example, Bertrand Traore did so during the match between Aston Villa and Arsenal, or Mark Gillespie during the match between Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Fans wonder why football players use snus. There are several reasons for this, including:
Footballers who use snus claim that it enhances their focus and concentration while also calming them before important matches. This may be associated with nicotine’s mild stimulant effect, which alleviates tension and anxiety.
Additionally, the right choice of flavour can influence the situation. For instance, icy flavours like mint or menthol can clear the mind and combat stress.
Snus can increase players’ energy levels, thus improving their overall performance. In this case, nicotine plays a significant role in its stimulating effect, which also ensures better reflexes and shorter reaction times.
Compared to cigarettes, snus is very discreet. It is hardly visible under the lip. This is mainly the case for mini and slim pouches, which players can use even during matches without drawing much attention.
One significant advantage of snus is that footballers don’t have to worry about unpleasant mouth odour associated with cigarettes after using it. In fact, quite the opposite often occurs. Since pouches come in various flavours, they can lead to a more pleasant breath.
Some footballers use snus for its effects on recovery. Studies suggest that nicotine not only has a supporting but also a paralyzing effect, which is crucial for good rest and relaxation.
Along with nicotine, the flavour itself also influences recovery. While fresh menthol tones invigorate, sweet and milder flavours can soothe and induce a pleasant sensation.
Cigarettes cause various health problems. Besides addiction, they are responsible for lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and emphysema. Europe has the highest number of smokers, with 34 people out of 100,000 dying from lung cancer annually.
In comparison, Sweden, where snus is prevalent rather than cigarettes, has significantly lower statistics. Studies indicate that only 14 people out of 100,000 die from lung cancer annually. Why is this the case?
Snus is not carcinogenic, so its use doesn’t lead to cancer. Additionally, there is no research confirming that it causes other diseases associated with cigarettes. That is why many top athletes use it.
The answer to whether snus is allowed in football is straightforward – yes, it is. Its use is not illegal. However, few footballers admit to using it. This is mainly because small tobacco pouches are still a taboo topic, not openly discussed even by ordinary people, let alone famous athletes.
The situation is further complicated by laws in individual countries. While its use is not prohibited in most of them, the problem lies in purchasing and selling. These actions are illegal in almost entire EU, which may make snus seem negative or improper.
It is important to continually monitor conditions of snus use. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) initiated a collaboration with academics at Loughborough University last year. This collaboration will last for 12 months, during which researchers will monitor the overall impact of snus on athletes. It is possible that after the study concludes, the rules may be slightly adjusted or changed.
Many well-known footballers currently use snus. Among them are, for example:
Jamie Vardy even mentioned snus in his autobiography. He stated that tobacco pouches helped him relax, especially after signing a contract with Leicester. At that time, he faced pressure that was much greater than before.
Footballers prefer high-quality products from trusted brands that guarantee the best experience. Among them are, for example:
In terms of sizes, footballers lean towards discreet and smaller pouches, such as slim, super slim, or mini, which easily disappear under the lip. And regarding formats, they especially prefer white or white dry portion. These types don’t stain the teeth and require hardly any spitting. Thus, athletes can use them anytime and anywhere.