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Why Do Irish Footballers Use Snus?
According to several newspaper articles, such as the Irish Mirror, footballers in Ireland use snus. You may ask, why do Irish footballers use snus? This blog article seeks to answer the question and provide some insights into the issue.
Introduction
Snus is a smokeless, oral tobacco product which the user places under the upper lip. Nicotine from the snus is then absorbed quickly, giving the user a nicotine buzz effect, similar to cigarettes or vaping. You can read more about what snus is in our article. You can also read more on the status of snus in Ireland from our blog.
Snus, like all smokeless tobacco products, is illegal to sell in the EU, including Ireland. Snus can be imported in very limited quantities for personal use. Because snus is smokeless, some people may think it is ‘better for you’ than cigarettes. However, snus is much like cigarettes in that it contains similar harmful carcinogens to cigarettes. Health professionals have recommended against its use. Football coaches have also expressed concern about its usage.
Footballers Using Snus
The use of snus by athletes is not a totally new phenomenon, nor is it limited to Ireland. Similar reports of high snus usage among footballers has also been observed in the UK and other places. Newspapers report that even prominent footballers like Jamie Vardy, a striker from Leicester, have been spotted using snus. They have also received some criticism from the public for using harmful products. Wide snus use in the Premier League has raised concerns in the UK. All of this may lead you to ask why footballers would use snus.
Snus as an Alternative to Smoking/Vaping
As stated in the beginning of the article, snus may be understood as a healthier alternative to smoking or vaping. The reality is that snus does not emit second hand smoke. That is a big plus, since second hand smoke harms not only the user, but the persons around. At the same time, it contains carcinogens that are harmful to the user.
Smoking and vaping also harm the lungs. It is understandable that athletes want to avoid this at all costs. However, as opposed to using another tobacco product to replace smoking and vaping, medical professionals recommend that athletes quit nicotine altogether. HSE has resources available to help people quit smoking: https://www2.hse.ie/take-back-control/?s_kwcid=AL!12973!3!642052207567!e!!g!!hse%20quit%20smoking&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6OiBhA2EiwAuUwWZTzI9jfJH0IV_IBvW_FRMH72PYHx_jdRw9sEycFmgFMaQzH3R8R2ZhoCVFAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds.
Nicotine Pouches vs Snus in Ireland
Nicotine pouches are an alternative product to snus. They are inspired by snus, in that nicotine pouches are used in the same way. They are inserted under the user’s lip and the nicotine is absorbed similarly. However, the marked difference is that nicotine pouches contain no tobacco. Because of this, they also avoid the carcinogenic impacts of tobacco. Simultaneously, they also do not cause harm to the lungs, and do not have the ill effects on the lungs. That is why some football players may prefer nicotine pouches to snus.
Nicotine pouches in Ireland can be bought at most major convenience stores and forecourt shops. They come in many different strengths and flavors. The widest selection of nicotine pouches, also called nicopods, in Ireland can be found at the Nicopods.ie online store.
Concluding Remarks
To conclude with, the fact that footballers in Ireland have taken to using snus can be regarded as a phenomenon that elicits caution and worry. This might be offset by the fact that smoking rates among youth are diminishing. Nicotine pouches can be considered an interesting alternative to other forms of nicotine usage. The use of nicotine products among footballers has not been researched to the same extent as the use of snus, and is therefore difficult to comment on.