Lee Johnson in The Athletic on issue if Players using Snus

[itslegaltender]

Really interesting article quoting Lee heavily.

Didn’t know about this issue with current players using Snus?

https://apple.news/AVApBfs6eTuCCMQOxCp3bTA

If article not accessible, here is a few quotes

Lee Johnson, a manager who has seen its effects close-up, has told The Athletic that from his experiences he estimates 35 to 40 per cent of players are taking snus. If anything, he says, the numbers are probably higher. They just don’t want you to know about it.

“It’s a bit of a taboo subject; nobody is talking about it,” says Johnson, the manager of Hibernian and, before that, Sunderland, Bristol City, Barnsley and Oldham Athletic. “But it has become a culture. It’s getting worse and we need to educate these lads because it’s highly addictive. I don’t feel they understand the true threat of it over the long term.”

“I don’t know how to fight it,” says Johnson. “It’s not on the banned drugs list, so you can’t stop them doing it. They’re big lads and, in the end, you give up. But it really bugs me, particularly when I see young lads, aged 16 to 21, on it.

“If I walked into the training ground with four or five cigarettes between my fingers, people would look at me and say, ‘How unprofessional, how bad does that look?’. But it’s no different (with snus). It’s the same amount of nicotine going into the body, it’s just hidden.”

[Pretty Boy]

Big Niklas Gunnarson was using it when he was at Hibs, you could spot it a mile away.

I think snus is used more in Scandinavia than here generally so probably not a huge surprise he was one of the first Hibs player who was openly using it in recent years.

[CapitalGreen]

Big Niklas Gunnarson was using it when he was at Hibs, you could spot it a mile away.

I think snus is used more in Scandinavia than here generally so probably not a huge surprise he was one of the first Hibs player who was openly using it in recent years.

Not a player so not really as big an issue but Lennon used it too. Not a great impression to players on it’s acceptability though when the manager is using it though.

[Since90+2]

What is it meant to do? I'm guessing it's some kind of performance enhancer?

[Jones28]

What is it meant to do? I'm guessing it's some kind of performance enhancer?

It’s a nicotine based pouch that you hold between your gum and inner mouth. Nicotine leaches through in to your bloodstream.

I’ve used them before.

[Since90+2]

It’s a nicotine based pouch that you hold between your gum and inner mouth. Nicotine leaches through in to your bloodstream.

I’ve used them before.

Seems a bit of an odd thing for professional footballers to be using in such big numbers.

[Jones28]

Seems a bit of an odd thing for professional footballers to be using in such big numbers.

It is a bit, still, it’s a better avenue than smoking. We all have our vices.

Caffeine, booze and I love the odd vape/cigarette.

[GreenGray]

Seems a bit of an odd thing for professional footballers to be using in such big numbers.

Better for them than smoking or vaping though, especially as athletes. Which is why is suspect so many of them use it


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[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Better for them than smoking, don’t really see the problem. Yes they’re footballers but they’re also adults that can make their own decisions? As a side note, Snus is rotten, tried it a few times and it made me spew


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[wookie70]

From what I read it could adversely affect performance/health in the long term and has quite a few health consequences that smoking has. It might not be banned but it should be viewed in a similar way to smoking or drinking. If players are using it habitually it shows a lack of professionalism imo.

[JimBHibees]

From what I read it could adversely affect performance/health in the long term and has quite a few health consequences that smoking has. It might not be banned but it should be viewed in a similar way to smoking or drinking. If players are using it habitually it shows a lack of professionalism imo.

Totally agree makes no sense at all and can't believe it does anything to help performance or development. Sounds like a bit of education required

[Pretty Boy]

Totally agree makes no sense at all and can't believe it does anything to help performance or development. Sounds like a bit of education required

I think it's, in a bizarre way, largely because top players are so professional these days.

People would probably be quite shocked as to how many top levels players smoked even 10 or 15 years ago. Not necessarily ploughing through 20 Regal King Size every day but having a few fags on a Saturday night.

Even in England the drinking culture that once went with football is long gone (we are a fair bit behind in Scotland). Loads of English players are teetotal, eat specialist diets be that vegan, gluten free or whatever and are generally much more aware of their health and how it impacts their longevity. There's probably a 'need' for some kind of vice a snus will be seen as a relatively harmless option.

As you go down the levels it will just be players copying what they see the real stars doing. When Patrick Viera started smothering Vicks all over his chest every other player from the SPL to the Churches League started doing the same. Now it's no longer in fashion it seems the benefits people swore it gave no longer exist because everyone stopped doing it. See also socks pulled away up over the knees (superceded by cutting big holes in the calf these days) and Robbie Fowler style nasal strips.

Snus will be the in thing for a while then Mbappe will start giving himself a coffee enema or something and players all over the world will start swearing it works for them too.

[oldbutdim]

Modern version of Skoal Bandits?

[JimBHibees]

I think it's, in a bizarre way, largely because top players are so professional these days.

People would probably be quite shocked as to how many top levels players smoked even 10 or 15 years ago. Not necessarily ploughing through 20 Regal King Size every day but having a few fags on a Saturday night.

Even in England the drinking culture that once went with football is long gone (we are a fair bit behind in Scotland). Loads of English players are teetotal, eat specialist diets be that vegan, gluten free or whatever and are generally much more aware of their health and how it impacts their longevity. There's probably a 'need' for some kind of vice a snus will be seen as a relatively harmless option.

As you go down the levels it will just be players copying what they see the real stars doing. When Patrick Viera started smothering Vicks all over his chest every other player from the SPL to the Churches League started doing the same. Now it's no longer in fashion it seems the benefits people swore it gave no longer exist because everyone stopped doing it. See also socks pulled away up over the knees (superceded by cutting big holes in the calf these days) and Robbie Fowler style nasal strips.

Snus will be the in thing for a while then Mbappe will start giving himself a coffee enema or something and players all over the world will start swearing it works for them too.

Surely no one in the churches league copied Viera with Vicks :greengrin

Does sound like a fad right enough.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

So it's like Skoal Bandit? Can remember a big thing about users getting cancer in 80's/90's

[Smartie]

Pretty sure it’s not like Skoal bandits, which were absolutely horrendous for you and correctly outlawed.

I’m sure there was a thread about it on here a few years back.

[Lago]

Better for them than smoking, don’t really see the problem. Yes they’re footballers but they’re also adults that can make their own decisions? As a side note, Snus is rotten, tried it a few times and it made me spew


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Been associated with mouth cancer.

[green day]

Pretty sure it’s not like Skoal bandits, which were absolutely horrendous for you and correctly outlawed.

I’m sure there was a thread about it on here a few years back.

I think Skoal Bandits were tobacco pouches, and are now illegal to buy in the UK.

What footballers are using is nicotine pouches (with no tobacco).

Apparently they come in many flavours, kinda like vaping I imagine?

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

Been associated with mouth cancer.

I know, they’re still adults though


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[Greenio]

I've used them plenty. Gives you a wee head rush sometimes like the first draw of a fag.

Don't see what all the fuss is about. Aye, it's addictive. So is TikTok, they want to stop footballers using that too?

Mind your own

[wookie70]

I've used them plenty. Gives you a wee head rush sometimes like the first draw of a fag.

Don't see what all the fuss is about. Aye, it's addictive. So is TikTok, they want to stop footballers using that too?

Mind your own

It's legal, they can choose to use them but that also means they can be seen to be less professional than those who do not

[ErinGoBraghHFC]

I've used them plenty. Gives you a wee head rush sometimes like the first draw of a fag.

Don't see what all the fuss is about. Aye, it's addictive. So is TikTok, they want to stop footballers using that too?

Mind your own

I’m the same as you, not a fan and tbh the headrush is far worse than the first draw of a fag but it’s not my business whatsoever. Even players having a few fags on a Saturday night is fine imo, 20 a day less so.


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[The Modfather]

Anyone else never heard of snus until this thread? Or do I live a sheltered life?

[Big_Franck]

Anyone else never heard of snus until this thread? Or do I live a sheltered life?

I had never heard of it either. If I'm being totally honest, I still don't totally understand what it is :greengrin

[Paulie Walnuts]

It's legal, they can choose to use them but that also means they can be seen to be less professional than those who do not

Is it unprofessional?

They’re using Snus as it won’t impact their performance like smoking would. If anything I’d say that’s a fairly professional decision surely?

[wookie70]

Is it unprofessional?

They’re using Snus as it won’t impact their performance like smoking would. If anything I’d say that’s a fairly professional decision surely?

That wouldn't be my take. Giving up smoking would be professional. Taking up another substance wouldn't be. I wonder how many swimmers or athletes smoke or take these substances. It raises blood pressure and heart rate. It may well impact performance in a bad way.

[Lago]

I know, they’re still adults though


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They are, but sometimes you have to protect people from themselves, having said that I don't normally support a nanny State, it's a hard one.