Former Liverpool and Tottenham star Danny Murphy has revealed that he used snus, a highly addictive nicotine substance, during his career but now believes that football clubs should ban it. Snus has gained notoriety for being a substitute for smoking but carries its own negative medical effects.
This revelation comes as the Professional Footballers’ Association and Loughborough University are conducting an investigation into the impact of snus on modern-day players. It was previously disclosed that more Premier League players have been using snus, and some are undergoing treatment for addiction.
Speaking on talkSPORT’s White & Jordan Show, Murphy emphasized that snus should be prohibited in football clubs. He explained that players’ choices, self-discipline, and resilience are essential in reaching the top of the game.
Murphy shared his own experience, saying, “Yeah [I have used snus]. They are quite strong. I wasn’t a fan. I was a smoker for years. I hate to admit it and I don’t now thankfully.”
He added, “I actually think clubs should ban it because as soon as a player knows that something is banned, they start thinking why and automatically have a desire to understand it.”
The study aims to interview players and club staff to understand the attitudes surrounding snus, which originated in Sweden. Leicester’s Jamie Vardy, a former snus user, has publicly admitted to being addicted but quit in 2018.
Snus is banned for sale in the United Kingdom but not for use. It involves placing the substance under the upper lip and leaving it there for a period, typically between 30 minutes to 120 minutes. The investigation seeks to shed light on player motivations and awareness of the risks associated with snus use.
