As the use of snus by professional footballers continues to rise, the Professional Footballers’ Association has commissioned an investigation into its impact on players. The PFA’s research will include looking at whether players are able to maintain high levels of performance when using the smokeless tobacco product.
The PFA’s work will also investigate whether snus impacts on players’ ability to concentrate, and whether it can affect their physical or psychological performances on the pitch. The organisation will also look at whether snus is a gateway drug for smoking cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products like chewing gums, nicotine patches, sprays, and lozenges.
Snus is a smokeless tobacco that is used to deliver nicotine through the oral mucosa. It is usually placed between the lips for extended periods of time, and it can be used with other forms of tobacco, including chewing gum, as a means to increase the delivery of nicotine.
In general, hey snus is not considered to be as harmful as smoking tobacco, as it does not cause lung cancer or other tobacco-related illnesses when used in moderation. It has a much lower risk of causing dental problems and it does not release the carcinogens found in cigarette smoke, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter, into the air.
There is a wide variety of snus available in different formats and flavors. Some are more traditional tobacco-centric, while others have a more modern flavor profile. Some snus products are even beverage-inspired, offering a taste of popular alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Loose snus comes as ground tobacco that is coarse, medium, or fine and requires the user to form a ‘prilla’ by themselves. It is moist and dark in color and has a fast release of nicotine and flavor. Loose snus is the oldest form of snus and still accounts for more than half of all sales.
Original portion snus is similar to loose snus, but it is moist and dark in color and has been prepared and wrapped in a section of material called a ‘prilla’ to provide a more consistent, longer-lasting nicotine and flavor experience. It is often described as ‘premium’ snus, and it has been shown to have a significant effect on reducing tobacco use and increasing quit rates in comparison with loose snus.
Mini portions have a minimal amount of tobacco and are significantly more discreet than original or slim portions due to their half-weight contents and smaller size. They are nearly invisible under the lip and almost unnoticeable in mouthfeel, but they have a lesser nicotine and flavor release than other formats.
Ultra-strong snus is the most concentrated form of nicotine in snus and is only intended for advanced users who have had previous exposure to this type of snus. It offers an extremely intense buzz and can have up to double the strength of regular snus. Popular examples include Siberia 80 Degrees, which has a chilling menthol flavor and delivers 43 mg of nicotine per gram of product, and Oden’s Cold Extreme, with its frosty spearmint flavour and 22 mg of nicotine per gram.