New problem in the Premier League, Players started taking snus
In the English Premier League, a new issue has arisen. Some players were observed placing what appears to be a small pouch, resembling a tea bag, into their mouths.
According to reports from As, players such as Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Victor Lindelof (Manchester United), Danny Murphy (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bertrand Traore (currently at Villarreal, previously at Aston Villa), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), and Mark Gillespie (Newcastle) were seen engaging in such actions.
It can be inferred that these players are using snus. Snus is a form of smokeless tobacco product, consisting of finely ground moist tobacco often packaged in small pouches, which are placed between the gum and lip.
This form of tobacco is considered illegal in the European Union, but after Brexit, a loophole in legislation emerged in England, allowing its circumvention. It’s also worth noting that snus is not prohibited by anti-doping regulations.
Snus contains over 30 chemical substances, and its nicotine content is three times higher than that of a cigarette. While players may have previously used it for relaxation, its stimulant effect, providing both physical and psychological advantages, is now deemed necessary for some.
According to reports from The Athletic, some players have already sought help. One player at Aston Villa has been fined. The team acknowledges it as a widespread issue:
“It’s an epidemic. Many players consume it. Even substitutes.”
The medical staff of the teams are deeply concerned for their players. Snus is addictive, and players find it challenging to voluntarily abstain from it. It is believed that this form of tobacco use can lead to five types of cancer and can also cause cardiovascular problems.
Most likely, this problem is relevant not only in English football, but it was in the homeland of this sport that people began to talk about it seriously.
