A research study into the use of oral tobacco sachets known as “snus” by professional footballers has been launched by the players’ union amid increasing concern about its prevalence.
The small porous sachets are placed on to the gum under the upper lip and give users a nicotine hit. The former England striker Jamie Vardy was a regular user until 2018, when he said he had quit, but others involved in British professional football believe that in some squads a third of the players will be using snus.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has commissioned a 12-month research study with academics at Loughborough University to identify the extent of its use by players and to raise awareness of the negative health impacts.
There are concerns