At least 20% of professional footballers use snus or nicotine pouches

There’s also evidence of a link to mouth lesions and oral cancers. The sale of it is banned in all EU countries except for Sweden, as well as Australia.

The report notes the actual usage figures are “likely” to be even higher, with some players not wanting to admit to using it, even in an anonymous survey.

In total, 679 players were surveyed from clubs in the Premier League, EFL and Women’s Super League with respondents asked whether they were current users.

Of those, 18% of the male players admitted using it, with 22% of the women’s players saying the same. Their reasoning varied, but the most common belief was that it improved mental readiness for playing — with 29% of men saying this and more than half of the women.

Players reported mostly using snus and nicotine pouches socially to relax and spend time with teammates, with the most common times for use after training, post-game and on days off.

By contrast, around 41% of men believed it helped them relax after training or playing, with the figure rising to 64% among female players.

The majority of players from both samples reported receiving no education about snus use (58% in men, 86% in women). The PFA said this highlights an “awareness gap” about the dangers of the usage of snus.

Director of Player Wellbeing at the PFA Michael Bennett said: “These findings tell us that while a lot of players appear to be looking to substances like snus as a coping mechanism to handle the growing demands of the game, many are not fully aware of its effects and addictive qualities.

“As the players’ union, our primary concern is our members’ welfare. This research will help us ensure that the PFA’s own support services, and those of club medical teams, are grounded in football-specific evidence and tailored to the needs of players.”

The survey discovered users often started using the products in a bid to fit in with other, often more senior, teammates – for male players 56% gave this as a reason, rising to 73% among women.

This caused more issues when it came to quitting snus or pouches. One player surveyed 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.” 

Additionally, one staff member at an unnamed club was told by a player that “it’s just everywhere.” The player in question had told the member they were a “heavy user.”

In the report, the admission reads: “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.”

Most female players said they did not intend to quit, with just under half of the current men’s players wanting to quit in the next year.