DAVID JAMES is adamant football’s epidemic of Snus — a smokeless tobacco product — has a “detrimental” effect on players’ performances.
The PFA revealed in March a number of stars receive help for addiction to the oral pouches amid increasing use among professional squads.
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Former England and Liverpool keeper James, 53, said: “Snus has been around forever.
“I was very concerned about its use when I was playing, seeing the amount of players using it.
“I’m not a scientist but it has a detrimental effect on performance, similar to me smoking when I was actually capable of doing a lot more.”
West Ham forward Michail Antonio, 33, has tried Snus twice.
The former Nottingham Forest ace said: “Players do it because of the pressures of football and life.
“It really starts to get to people, so they need that stimulus.
“Clubs want players to be able to deal with things in any way they can.
“I haven’t seen any club be against it because they see players doing it and it’s not illegal, it’s not a banned substance.”
The PFA has said it can “monitor emerging health concerns for our players, including the growing prevalence of Snus use” due to its “close relationship” with clubs’ medical staff.
The organisation added it gained “insights” into the taking of Snus after players were surveyed at workshops.
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