One in five professional footballers using snus or nicotine pouches, survey finds
A new study has revealed that around one in five professional footballers use snus or nicotine pouches, ITV News' Cari Davies has more
Around one in five male and female professional players who took part in a new survey are currently using snus, nicotine pouches or both.
The study by Loughborough University, commissioned by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), also identified that two out of five had tried the pouches at least once in the past.
Snus contains tobacco and is not legally available to buy in the UK.
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legal to buy, and were found to be more commonly used among players. The pouches are usually placed between the upper lip and the gums.
The report states the true figures are “likely” to be even higher due to players not wanting to disclose use, even in an anonymous survey.
Around 18% of the 628 male players surveyed, based at either Premier League or EFL clubs, said they currently used it.
Of the 51 Women’s Super League players surveyed, 22% said used snus.
Participants said improved mental readiness was a key benefit of the substance, with 41% of male players saying they used it to help relax, most commonly after training and after matches. That figure was 64% among female players.
One of the 16 professional club performance and medical staff members also interviewed for the report said players used it as a “coping mechanism”.
The pouches are also used as an appetite suppressant, the report found.
However, the report also highlighted the potential negative physical impacts.
Evidence suggests snus is associated with an increased risk of oesophagus and pancreatic cancer in comparison to non-smokers, and to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
There is strong evidence of an association between snus use and mouth lesions.
The survey found users often started using the products in a bid to fit in with other, often more senior, team-mates. For male players 56% gave this as a reason, rising to 73% among women.
One surveyed player admitted: “I have quit twice for eight months but always seem to start doing it again. I find it hard to quit when I’m around it all day.”
A staff member at a club said they had come across a player whose career had mainly been spent in the Premier League and Championship who described themselves as a “heavy user”.
They told the staff member: “I’d love to come off it, but I can’t. It’s just everywhere I look. Every other player’s taking it, I go to fill my car up and it’s at the pump stands. It’s just too easy.”
Approximately half the current users in the men’s game said they wanted to quit within the next 12 months.
Users also reported suffering from nicotine dependence, such as using it without awareness or intention.
Short-term withdrawal symptoms were also common – cravings, irritability, restlessness and anxiety.
The report found club bans had not been effective in deterring use, and recommended personalised, external support and to avoid stigmatising those seeking help.
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