Investigation into nicotine-based snus use by professional footballers

Players have been warned about the product, which has been linked to heart conditions, oral disease and decreased physical performance.

Wednesday 20 September 2023 11:42, UK

FILE - A man holds a box of snus (snuff), at a store in Stockholm, on Jan. 23, 2023. Sweden, which has the lowest rate of smoking in Europe is now close to declaring itself ...smoke free,... defined as having less than 5% daily smokers in the population. Some experts give credit to decades of anti-smoking campaigns and legislation, while others point to the prevalence of ...snus,... a smokeless tobacco product that...s illegal elsewhere in the European Union but is marketed in Sweden as an alternative to cigarettes. (Claudio Bresciani /TT News Agency via AP, File)
Image: Researchers are investigating the use of snus by professional footballers. File pic: AP
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An investigation has been launched into the rising use of nicotine-based snus by professional footballers in the English game.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) will work with academics at Loughborough University on a 12-month project amid a "high level of concern" over the health impacts associated with the product.

Snus, which is not a banned substance but is illegal to buy in the UK, is a smokeless tobacco product originating in Sweden, which is packaged similar to a teabag sachet and placed under the top lip.

Professional footballers, including Premier League stars, have repeatedly been warned over its use, which has been linked to heart conditions, oral disease and decreased physical performance.

England and Leicester striker Jamie Vardy admitted using the product in his autobiography to help him "chill out" and was pictured carrying it at Euro 2016 before saying he had stopped following negative media coverage.

England's forward Jamie Vardy is seen on the substitute bench during the Euro 2016 group B football match between England and Russia at the Stade Velodrome
Image: Jamie Vardy told of using snus in his 2016 autobiography

Then Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson in 2021 likened its use to smoking three or four cigarettes at once.

The new project aims to identify how many players are using snus, and to raise awareness of its negative health impacts.

Dr Daniel Read, the lead researcher for the project at Loughborough University, said: "There is a high level of concern in the football community about players using snus and the potential impact this may have on their welfare.

"Through this project with the PFA, we hope to learn more from the players' perspective to better support their physical and mental well-being."

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Researchers will interview footballers who use snus as well as football club staff and canvass attitudes and behaviours with surveys among PFA members.

Michael Bennett, the PFA's director of player wellbeing, said: "Through our conversations with players and their clubs we are aware that there is a rise in the use of snus in the game.

"We want to use research like this to better understand that trend, the motivations of players and how aware they are of the risks.

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"We can then use that knowledge to play our part in ensuring members are aware of the negative impacts that can be associated with snus use."

The first findings from the research are due to be presented later this year, the PFA said.

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