Footballers’ new habit and Manchester City’s way of handling it

A study has quantified what was previously a secret in the changing rooms.

It reveals how common nicotine pouches and snus have become among professional footballers in England. Why is this, and how will the potential influence of senior first-team stars in respect of nicotine consumption have any significance for Manchester City’s team?

What the study found

Researchers at Loughborough University surveyed hundreds of English football players and found that approximately one in five currently use snus or nicotine pouches.

The data also revealed a gender difference, with 22 per cent of female players stating that they actively use the products, compared to 18 per cent of their male counterparts. Almost half of those surveyed had tried the products at some point.

These figures confirm that this habit, which originated in Scandinavia, is not a matter of mere curiosity but something that has become firmly established in professional football.

Relaxation and perceived performance gains

The study described in detail how players integrate nicotine into their weekly routine. A large proportion stated that they used pouches after training sessions as a way of easing the transition from physical exertion back to normal life.

The pattern was similar on match days, with some choosing to use them for this purpose after high-intensity competitions. Days off were also mentioned, when use was often motivated by a desire for calm rather than stimulation.

Relaxation was the most common motivation, although several respondents mentioned sharper mental alertness and improved concentration. Benefits that were mostly psychological were described, such as feeling calmer under pressure, keeping sharper concentration, and being more decisive in tight moments.

However, physiological fluctuations complicate the picture and blur the straight line between the snus pouch and improved performance on the pitch.

Risks, withdrawal and the other side of the coin

As mentioned, some players believe that nicotine promotes calmness and sharper reactions, and the withdrawal symptoms experienced when quitting could be seen as confirmation of this.

Research has shown that when users abstain, short-term performance declines can occur: poorer concentration, irritability and a general feeling of distraction. In the longer term, however, those who quit tend to return to their original level.

This is why sports scientists oppose a simplistic label such as ‘performance-enhancing drug’. The research on which the study was based indicates that there is some evidence that nicotine can affect motor precision, reaction times and even certain aspects of endurance.

However, the results vary greatly between individuals, and the line between real improvement and perceived effect is unclear.

Is it legal – is it doping?

In the United Kingdom, tobacco-based snus is prohibited from commercial sale, but players who bring it in from abroad or obtain it by other means are not breaking the law by possessing or using it.

Tobacco-free nicotine pouches, on the other hand, can be purchased legally by adults over the age of 18. They are therefore more accessible to footballers who are looking for an effect similar to that provided by tobacco-based snus.

Nicotine itself is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances. However, it is included in WADA’s monitoring programme. This means that its use is tracked in sport but does not currently lead to sanctions or disqualification.

A culture question within elite football

The increase in nicotine use in football is largely due to Scandinavian influence, where snus has long been part of sporting circles. Over time, the habit spread to British dressing rooms, brought in by players who had changed clubs and international teammates.

What began as a small-scale habit slowly but surely became part of everyday life in clubs across Europe. However, public debate has increased as famous players have been photographed or spoken out on the subject, giving it a visibility that reflects its prevalence.

Local context through the dressing room lens

For a club like City, every marginal decision concerning the players’ well-being is monitored. The environment is characterised by strict control of science, medicine and recovery protocols, but players are still allowed to make their own decisions within the limits of what is legal and permitted under anti-doping rules. 

This means that nicotine use falls into a grey area. It is monitored but not explicitly prohibited. In practice, the observations also cover diet, sleep and mental well-being, all of which are weighed against performance. 

As for whether snus use has spread to our favourite team, rumour has it that the habit first came to City’s academy through former Swedish striker John Guidetti, who spent his formative years in the club’s youth system some ten years ago.

Exactly how widespread the use is at present is not entirely clear however. What we do know is that the team’s doctor has informed the players about the risks of using snus.

Could Donnarumma have an impact on the habit?

Gianluigi Donnarumma’s character can be defined as calm rather than compliant. His unruffled reaction after saving the decisive penalty in the 2020 European Championship final demonstrated a temperament that is suited to pressure, not theatrics.

Interviews reveal a player who talks about staying calm, setting high standards and avoiding distractions off the pitch.

In recent months, short videos have been circulating online that appear to show Donnarumma vaping or using an IQOS device during the summer of 2025, but no confirmation has come from his camp.

It will be interesting to see if the rumours are true and, if so, what his stance will be on the use of nicotine pouches.