Why Are Premier League Players Using Snus & What Does The FA Say?

Snus use has been on the rise during recent years, because of its potential as a stimulant and substitute for cigarettes. More people are using snus now than ever before, and this statistic remains true for people from all walks of life, including professional football players from the Premier League.

The use of snus among pro football players is apparently quite prevalent. This fact was highly criticized by the FA (Footballer's Association) and global magazines. Today we're going to look at the impacts and roots of snus among footballers. You'll be surprised by most of the things that we'll discuss. 

First, let's look at the…

Roots of Snus in the Premier League

Many players in the Premier League, League 1, Championship, use Swedish snus. Big shots like Karim Benzema, Manchester United Defender Victor Lindelof, Charlie Adams, Newcastle Defender Jamaal Lascelles, and Arsenal Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are snus users.

The legendary Striker Jamie Vardy of Leicester City Club is another user. At Euro 2016, he was photographed with a can of Thunder Snus in his hand. Later in his autobiography titled “Jamie Vardy: My Story,” he admitted to using snus. He wrote about it in the following words:

“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 further stated:

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

This piece of information was further backed by Stoke City Midfielder, Charlie Adam. In a BBC Radio 5 Live Podcast, Charlie Adams explained that smokeless tobacco use was quite prevalent in English Football. Charlie also stated that snus was introduced to the local players through Scandinavian players. 

For reference, snus is a part of Swedish, and Finnish cultures. The influx of Scandinavian players could have led to the increased usage of Swedish snus and other smokeless tobacco products. According to Charlie Adams, it was a norm, that no one had any problem with.

However, when mainstream magazines caught wind of the affair, things took a turn for the worst. Some magazines used sensational headings like “Banned Stimulant Use In Sports Is Alarming" etc. It gave the notion that snus was some high-end doping drug, that could turn an average bloke into the boy scout Captain America. How true is this?

Does snus really give players an unfair advantage? Here's the…

The Truth About Snus

Snus/Snuff/snus is a tobacco product, portioned into small tea-sized bags. You take a pouch and place it between your top lip and gums. The mucous membranes of your mouth absorb the nicotine from the pouch, and you experience the “nicotine buzz.” 

The absorption of nicotine releases dopamine and serotonin, which leads to a rush of adrenaline. The main effects of snus and other nicotine-based products include reduced stress, increased alertness, and a slight increase in motivation. It's like having coffee in the morning and waking up. 

Some papers and magazines were trying to paint snus as a doping agent because of these effects. However, what they failed to highlight was that caffeine and energy drinks like Red Bull can have the same effect on the human body. 

If anything, Jamie Vardy should have been more concerned about the 4 to 5 red bulls he chugged down before every game instead of the snus bags. Another fact that most papers glossed over was the reason and value of snuff use. Snus is a substitute for cigarettes and other heated products. And it doesn’t contain the 7000 toxins that an average cigarette contains. Most players who use snus are trying to avoid cigarettes. 

The question is, if you don't want them to consume snus, then would you rather have them smoke?

And it gets even better because the…

WADA Never Banned Snus

Snus is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) watch list, but it isn't banned. And the most amusing part is that Caffeine is also on WADA's monitoring list. With more research, we could see a ban on snus, but for now, athletes can use them legally. 

The negative sentiment related to snus use has prompted multiple clubs to discourage snus use. One example of this was Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. In an interview with the press, he stated that a doctor had talked to his squad about the negative effects of snus use. 

The question is, if snus wasn't banned, then what was all the buzz about doping and using banned substances in magazines and blogs? On closer inspection, we understood that it was nothing more than clickbait. How?

Snus has been banned from sale in the UK since 1992, but you can use snus if you source a product for yourself. You can buy snus and nicotine completely legally from Snusdaddy.

Various blogs and magazines tricky wording and the fact that snuff sales were banned in the UK to give the impression that it was a case of doping. 

The bottom line is that snus was never banned.

But does this mean that anyone should use snus? So…

What Effects Does Snus Have On Athletic Activities?

Snus increases alertness and concentration. A study conducted by WADA in 2013 stated that snus and other Nicotine-based products could increase performance by 13% for long-term users. You can read more about this from our own in-depth guide on snus and exercise. Due to its effects, snus may be banned in the future.

Furthermore, snus isn't a completely safe alternative to cigarettes. Yes, it is healthier than cigarettes, but snus still has some risks. It's one reason why the FA wants to educate football players of the dangers related to snus use. Another thing that you need to be aware of is the addictiveness of snus. 

Due to the high nicotine content, snus is very addictive. You should only use snus as a substitute for cigarettes, and sparingly. Excessive recreational snus use could lead to addiction. You could also try using tobacco-free nicopods, which are the safest alternative to cigarettes. Also…

Nicotine Pouches Are A Great Snus Alternative For Athletes

Nicopods are the healthiest alternative to snus and cigarettes because they do not contain tobacco. Modern nicopods are created using synthetic nicotine, which makes nicopods such a good substitute for harmful and pernicious products. You can read more about where nicotine comes from and how it's made through our detailed guide.

For now, you should know that nicopods come in varying strengths and flavors. The diversity allows cig/snuff users to quit more effectively and easily. You should read our guide on How to Quit Smoking with Nicopods for more guidance. You don't need to worry about quality either because the nicopod industry has some big names like:

• VELO
• ZYN
• LOOP
• VOLT
• White Fox

You can order products from these brands and many more with Snusdaddy. We have the freshest products at the best prices. If you order in bulk, you can get even better deals. Read our guides and articles on best nicotine pouches for some fantastic recommendations.

We deliver our products through PostNord and UPS. You can receive your orders within 3 to 5 working days, based on the delivery option you choose. So order away and enjoy. That's all for now, stay healthy and happy!