Some schools have resorted to sending out warnings to parents, worried about its rising use among pupils.

 

Confusingly, ‘snus’ refers to two different products. The first – and not the one James and I used – is a form of smokeless tobacco popular in Nordic countries that involves placing some of the substance or a dissolvable paper pouch in the mouth. This is illegal to buy or sell in the UK. 

But there’s also nicotine pouches, which while used in the same way, contain no tobacco. Although different, they’re being referred to as ‘snus’ by their users. 

These, due to a legal loophole, are able to be sold to under-18s – even if some products themselves say they are 18+. This means they are becoming a popular alternative for underage vapers who want to get their hands on nicotine, even if ministers plan to ban their use by youths.

James, a vaper, tells me he found out about snus on social media, and it is increasingly popular among top footballers – with one in five professional male players using snus, nicotine pouches, or both. Nearly half of them would like to quit using the products.  

When James told me about snus, I initially thought he meant ‘snuff’, a form of sniffing tobacco I recall being popular with older men in the 80s.