CHEW ON THAT Everyone is making a big fuss over SNUS — what does the ‘drug’ do and how many players are using it?
Posted Saturday, March 31, 2018 by Dreamteamfc.com
Jamie Vardy has benefited from nicotine hits that boost awareness and concentration
Football bosses are supposedly concerned by the growing use of tobacco pouches among players.
Jamie Vardy has admitted taking smokeless snus in the past to help boost his mental sharpness.
And Leicester’s free-scoring forward isn’t the only player to benefit from the ‘drug’.
A growing number of Premier League players are also seeking the nicotine hits despite the fact sale of the tins is banned in the UK.
The Mail claim use of snus has exploded among young players in England with some even taking them during matches.
Sales of snus in Britain have been illegal since 1992 after they were linked to causing cancer, but they can still be sourced over the internet.
Snus is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s watch-list but is currently allowed.
A few people overreacted to this photo of Vardy carrying a tin of snus in 2016
Those who place the pouches between their upper lip and gums believe the 27.3mg hit of nicotine helps with their concentration and alertness.
They come in tins of 18 packs, in several flavours, and offer a bigger nicotine hit than the 10mg in a cigarette.
Leicester star Vardy has been spotted carrying a tin of Thunder Ultra while on England duty, and admitted to using it in his autobiography.
He wrote: “When I joined Leicester I started using snus, which are nicotine patches that you place against your gums for ten minutes or so.
"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.
"A lot more footballers use them than people realise, and some lads even play with them during matches.”
Vards bagged against Italy during the international break
And while there is no suggestion of any wrong-doing, the amount of players turning to the tobacco is causing a concern for managers.
One Championship boss is quoted as saying footballers are using it as an appetite suppressant without real knowledge of the potential health risks.
He said: “It’s absolutely rife. It’s a disaster.
"It gives you a buzz and you’ve got players putting it in before and during games.
Vardy says he was introduced to the use of snus when he joined Leicester
"Next time you’re watching a game, look at how many players look like they have something behind their top lips. That’s a tell-tale sign.”
The PFA’s deputy chief executive John Bramhall admitted: “It is something that we are aware of and will monitor.
"We will be looking to see if there is a need to educate members on the potential risks involved in using this substance.”
A Leicester City spokesman said: “Our players comply fully with all anti-doping regulations.
"We offer regular advice on a variety of topics to maintain their health and seek up-to-date research to ensure such advice is well-founded.”
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