PFA survey finds one in five professional footballers regularly use nicotine pouch products

PFA survey finds one in five professional footballers regularly use nicotine pouch products

A British survey shows that 1/5 of professional football players use nicotine bags or tobacco pellets, deliberately concealing their use, which may cause health problems. Players say that using the products helps with psychological preparation, but they have already experienced withdrawal symptoms.

According to the Boston Globe on May 28, a new survey commissioned by Loughborough University for the Professional Football Association (PFA) of the United Kingdom showed that about one-fifth of the male and female professional players participating in the survey are using tobacco pellets (snus), nicotine bags, or both. The survey also found that two-fifths of the respondents had tried such products at least once. The report pointed out that due to the reluctance of players to disclose the use of these products, even in anonymous surveys, the actual use figures "may" be higher.

In this survey, 18% of the 628 male players and those playing in the Premier League or the English Football League, and 22% of the 51 Women's Super League players said they currently use these products. The report shows that respondents (29% and 55% respectively) believe that using these products can improve mental preparation, and 41% of male players said they use these products to help relax after training and games, while this proportion is as high as 64% of female players.

At the same time, the report also pointed out that the use of tobacco pellets may have potential negative physical effects. Available evidence shows that the use of tobacco pellets may increase the risk of esophageal and pancreatic cancers, as well as the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with non-smokers. There is a strong association between tobacco pellets and oral lesions.

Tobacco pellets contain tobacco and are banned from illegal sale in the UK, however, nicotine pouches are tobacco-free and can be purchased legally. The report found that players more often use nicotine pouches that can be placed between the upper lip and gums. The survey found that players often use these products at the beginning to adapt to other, usually more senior teammates. For male players, 56% gave this reason, while among women, this proportion was as high as 73%.

It is worth noting that the report also pointed out that if products purchased online or on social media are contaminated, there may be adverse anti-doping test results.