Footballers Who Use Snus: Complete List of Confirmed Players (2025)

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June 18, 2025 Edited June 18, 2025 5476 view(s) 8 min read
Footballers Who Use Snus: Complete List of Confirmed Players (2025)

Looking for which footballers actually use snus? These football stars use snus based on reliable sources, including BBC Radio interviews, autobiography confessions, and live television coverage.

This guide reveals every confirmed soccer player who uses snus, from Premier League stars to international legends. You’ll also discover why nicotine pouches are popular among footballers and the most used brands among them.

Collage of footballers who use snus

Table Of Contents

table of content

Jamie Vardy (Leicester City/England)

Jamie Vardy is the most documented snus user in football. Photographers caught him with Thunder Ultra Strong snus at Euro 2016 while leaving England's team hotel in Chantilly. He was carrying both snus and Red Bull.

In his 2016 autobiography "Jamie Vardy: My Story," he openly admitted his usage:

"I used to have the odd fag on a night out at Fleetwood, but one of the lads introduced me to snus when I signed for Leicester, and I found they helped me chill out."

He revealed something even more shocking about his teammates:

"A lot more footballers use them than people realize, and some lads even play with them during matches."

By June 2018, Vardy told newspapers he had quit because "it was made a big deal" in the press.

Marcus Rashford (Manchester United/England)

Marcus Rashford was spotted holding snus tobacco pouches during a Saint-Tropez holiday in 2025. A FootyRoom report noted "cans of tobacco flashed in different frames with the participation of Marcus Rashford."

Victor Lindelof (Manchester United/Sweden)

The same FootyNote report indicates that the Swedish defender" generally admits to using it" and has hosted an “atmospheric morning still life” with a cup of coffee and his favorite snus brand.

Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle United/England)

The Newcastle captain has been "linked to the product and nicotine pouches" in a press report. The Professional Footballers' Association specifically named him in their investigations as one of several top-flight players using snus.

Mark Gillespie (Newcastle United)

Newcastle's third-choice goalkeeper was caught on live television during a Premier League match against Liverpool. He was sitting in the stands and spotted using what appeared to be snus. The incident was broadcast on television.

Newcastle initially "brushed off journalists in the spirit of 'this is a personal matter for the player.'"

Emil Krafth (Newcastle United/Sweden)

The Swedish defender has "been snapped with snus and tobacco-free nicotine pouches,” according to The Sun report. As another Swede, he "generally admits to using it" alongside fellow Swedish players, reflecting the cultural acceptance in Scandinavian countries.

Michail Antonio (West Ham United/Jamaica)

Speaking on the Footballers' Football Podcast, Antonio described his experience with snus:

"I put it in my mouth. Within five minutes, the whole entire room was spinning. I'm throwing up. I've started barging people out of the way into the toilets and I'm projectile throwing up everywhere."

He explained why players use it:

"The reasons why players do it is because of the pressures of football and life. It really starts to get to people, so they need that stimulus."

Dele Alli (Former Tottenham/Everton)

In April 2023, Alli was photographed in a Salford apartment with various items, including "Siberia 'extremely strong' snus" on the table. While this was part of a broader controversy involving nitrous oxide use, the presence of snus products was noted in media reports.

Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad/Former Real Madrid)

French media TSA Algérie reported in March 2023 that the Ballon d'Or winner was a potential consumer of snus.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Former Arsenal/Chelsea)

The striker "follows snus distributors on his social media page," Standard Media reported. As of writing, however, this was back in 2020, and, upon checking on his social media accounts (Instagram and X), he’s not following any snus brands. 

Charlie Adam (Former Stoke City/Liverpool)

Charlie Adam became the most vocal spokesperson about snus use in football. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he revealed snus use is "rife among footballers" and stated "a lot of the players are using it. It's the 'in' thing."

He explained how snus entered English football:

"Smokeless tobacco use was quite prevalent in English Football. Snus was introduced to the local players through Scandinavian players."

Adam became crucial in exposing just how widespread snus use really is across all divisions.

Danny Higginbotham (Former Manchester United/Stoke City)

The former defender "is said to have been a snus user for up to 15 years" during his playing career. He said the pouches "relaxed him."

This makes him one of the longest-confirmed users among professional footballers, spanning much of his career from the early 2000s through his retirement.

Henrik Larsson

The Swedish legend used snus "before the penalty shootout with Romania in the 1/4 finals of the 1994 World Cup." He later admitted: "I just needed to calm down a bit."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic was spotted "throwing off a bag right before going on as a substitute in one of the matches for Milan."

Why Soccer Players Choose Snus

The Loughborough University study with the PFA revealed shocking statistics about snus use in professional football:

  • 18% of male Premier League/EFL players currently use snus/nicotine pouches
  • 42% of male players have tried these products at least once
  • 22% of female WSL players currently use them
  • 39% of female players have tried them at least once

These numbers show snus use isn't isolated to a few players. In fact, the reasons behind snus adoption in professional football go far beyond simple nicotine cravings.

Why footballers use snus

  • Performance Benefits: Athletes experience increased alertness and concentration when using snus. A 2013 WADA study found that snus and other nicotine-based products could increase performance by 13% for long-term users. The nicotine absorption process creates several performance benefits during training and matches. Athletes report stress reduction and relaxation before high-pressure situations. The nicotine buzz provides an adrenaline rush that can improve focus during critical moments.
  • Cultural Influence: Scandinavian players shared snus with English teammates, creating widespread adoption across teams and leagues. This cultural exchange transformed what was once a regional habit into a Premier League phenomenon.
  • Smokeless Alternative to Cigarettes: Many soccer stars use snus to avoid cigarettes completely. This smokeless alternative lets athletes maintain their nicotine habits without destroying their cardiovascular fitness. Team environments also accept snus more readily than cigarettes, making it socially acceptable in professional sports settings.
  • Managing Football Pressure and Stress: Snus use becomes a pre-match calming ritual that helps them perform under pressure. The controlled nicotine delivery helps manage stress during penalty situations, crucial matches, and career-defining moments.

Below are the most popular snus brands among football players:

Brand

Nicotine Strength

Why Athletes Choose It

Siberia Snus

43mg/g

Maximum performance boost

Thunder Snus

22mg/g

Reliable, consistent effects

General Snus

8-11mg/g

Balanced strength, traditional

Current Legal Status in Professional Sports

Snus appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) monitoring list but carries NO prohibition for athletes. WADA tracks usage patterns but doesn't ban snus in competitive sports. Caffeine receives identical treatment on WADA's monitoring list.

Football governing bodies like FIFA, UEFA, Premier League, and FA have never prohibited snus use during training, matches, or tournaments.

On the other hand, the UK banned snus sales domestically in 1992, but personal possession and consumption remain completely legal. Football players can import snus for personal use without violating any laws.

Players source products through legal imports or online retailers, which ship authentic Swedish snus to UK customers following all legal requirements.

Some clubs create internal policies discouraging snus use. Manchester City exemplifies this approach from a 2018 report: Pep Guardiola arranged medical consultations to educate players about potential risks.

Most clubs treat snus as a personal choice rather than implementing team-wide bans. This reflects both the legal status and the widespread acceptance of these products in professional sports.

Athletic Performance Impact and Health Considerations

While snus serves as an effective cessation aid without damaging lung capacity, high nicotine content creates addiction potential, which concerns sports medicine professionals. 

The PFA's 2024 research revealed that 58% of male and 86% of female players had received no education about snus risks, highlighting a significant awareness gap. The PFA plans to use these findings to develop future educational programs.

Moreover, cardiovascular considerations are crucial for elite athletes who rely on optimal heart function and blood circulation. While snus doesn't damage lungs like cigarettes, it's not completely risk-free for long-term athletic performance.

Learn more about is snus bad for exercising to understand specific athletic performance implications.

Nowadays, athletes are seeking safer options can choose tobacco-free nicotine pouches from trusted brands instead. Popular alternatives include ZYNVELO, and LOOP products. For soccer players wanting to quit nicotine entirely, nicotine-free alternatives provide the oral habit satisfaction without any addictive substances that could affect performance.

Footballers Who Use Snus FAQs

Does snus affect sperm?

Snus can negatively affect sperm by reducing sperm count, motility, and morphology. Nicotine and tobacco-specific toxins in snus interfere with testosterone production and sperm development. Long-term use may contribute to infertility risks in men.

What does snus taste like?

Snus has a salty, smoky flavor with a strong tobacco base. Flavored varieties may add hints of mint, citrus, or berry. The taste depends on the brand, added flavorings, and whether it’s portioned or loose.

What happens when you quit snus?

When you quit snus, you may experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, cravings, and headaches. Over time, blood pressure stabilizes, gum health improves, and overall cardiovascular risk decreases.

Does snus damage gums?

Snus can damage gums by causing recession, inflammation, and irritation at the placement site. Long-term use may increase the risk of gum disease and tooth loss, especially when placed repeatedly in the same spot.

To Use or Not to Use Snus

Professional football has a snus problem, or opportunity, depending on your perspective. 

The evidence is overwhelming: snus use spans across teams, leagues, and countries. Conversely, players choose snus for performance benefits, cultural reasons, and as a cigarette alternative. Regardless, current laws and regulations don't prohibit this use, so it’s up to the players to decide for themselves whether to stop or keep using snus.

Whether you're curious about trying the same products professional footballers use or seeking alternatives to traditional tobacco, Snusdaddy offers the complete range. Browse our selection of premium snus and nicotine pouches used by elite athletes worldwide.

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