Sweden has long had a special relationship with snuff. The first time the word snus is used is in a customs document from 1637, when scented snus came from Borgå in Finland.
In the 19th century, something more reminiscent of today’s snus appeared, and in the 1994 EU election, snus was one of the issues. “Don’t touch our snus” was the message to the EU – and so it happened.
Outside the Nordic countries, snus has been an exotic product that few know about, but in the sports world it has been a kind of subculture.
Ralf Edström headed in many goals with a prattle in his mouth. Here next to Mats Magnusson who is loading. Photo: Tommy Pedersen/TT
But if snuffing in Sweden is not a “big deal”, several players and coaches in English football think that the use has become too widespread.
– I was very concerned about the sniffing when I played and to see how many people used it. I think it lowers performance, it reminds me of smoking, says former Liverpool goalkeeper David James, who played football until 2014 and who smoked snuff himself for a period.
In a report last spring from the PFA, the English football players’ union, found that snus has increased sharply among the players. Some have sought help for addiction. In a large project together with Loughborough University, the effects of snus are now to be investigated.
In England, it is warned that heart problems, poor oral health and impaired physical ability can be linked to snus use.
Lee Johnson, manager of League 1 team Fleetwood and formerly of Sunderland and Bristol City, tells The Athletic that at least 35-40 percent of the players he has trained snuff. But that most people get away with it.
– It is the same amount that enters the body as smoking, only that it is hidden. I have used several different tactics to get them to quit such as “everyone who sniffs leaves in January”.
– It sounds like I’m nagging, but I care about the players, he continues.
Several Swedish Premier League players smoke, such as Victor Nilsson Lindelöf. Photo: Jon Super/AP
England men’s national team captain Gareth Southgate:
– I remember from trips in Scandinavia how many Swedish players used it. And I’ve noticed that’s a trend among the players here. I would be surprised if these products are particularly good in the long run, he says.
In England it is illegal to sell snus, but personal use is permitted.
However, the issue of sniffing is sensitive. Leicester star Jamie Vardy, former national team player, writes in his biography that he snorted to feel calm. But that he quit after too much negative writing in the media.
Victor Nilsson Lindelöf in Manchester United and Emil Krafth in Newcastle, on the other hand, have not hidden their snuffing.
One who does not intend to move on with snuff is West Ham striker Michail Antonio.
– I put it in my mouth. Within five minutes the whole room was spinning, he says on the Footballer’s Football Podcast.
Snus is not classified as doping, at least not yet. Photo: Claudio Bresciani/TT
Antonio still understands that other players snuff to feel calmer and to release the pressure.
Snus is on WADA’s, World Anti-Doping Agency’s, watch list but is not classified as doping.
According to the Public Health Agency, snus can affect the heart and blood vessels and raise blood pressure, and cause damage to the gums. In 2022, 20 percent of adult Swedish men and seven percent of women stated that they snorted daily, according to FHM.
2023-12-21 17:01:57
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