Dunfermline Athletic manager Neil Lennon sparked discussion during a tense Scottish Cup match on Saturday after television cameras captured him using a snus pouch on the touchline.
Touchline Habit Draws Camera's Eye
The former Celtic boss was filmed by the BBC giving instructions to his players with the score locked at 0-0 against Hibernian. He then turned to his assistant and was seen placing a small pouch under his lip. Snus is a tobacco product, illegal to sell in the UK but not illegal to use, which releases nicotine into the bloodstream from a sachet placed in the mouth.
The incident has thrown a spotlight on the widespread but often discreet use of nicotine products within professional football. This comes after a 2024 study delivered the startling statistic that one in five professional footballers now uses either snus or similar nicotine pouches. Players often cite reasons like relaxation or seeking improved mental sharpness.
High-Profile Footballers and the Snus Culture
Lennon is far from alone in the sport. Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy has openly discussed his use of snus in his autobiography, noting he started after joining the Foxes and claiming many players use them, even during matches.
Other notable figures include Arsenal defender Ben White, who was pictured purchasing nicotine pouches on holiday in Ibiza in 2024, and former Manchester City star Micah Richards. Richards' habit was even called out by CBS colleague Thierry Henry during a live broadcast.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) currently monitors snus, meaning it is not banned but remains under study for its potential effects on athletic performance.
Lennon's Long-Standing Stance and a Dramatic Finish
Neil Lennon has been a vocal and long-term user. Back in 2018, while managing Hibernian, he stated he had no issue with his players using it, having started himself while playing alongside Swedish teammates.
"I stopped and then brought Johan Mjallby back as my assistant and he got me back on it again," Lennon explained at the time. He dismissed any notion of performance enhancement, calling it "absolute rubbish" and instead framed it as a habit that could help players "come down" after intense matches.
Ironically, Lennon's side had the last laugh in the cup tie that prompted the latest headlines. In the 92nd minute, a freak own goal from Hibernian's Miguel Chaiwa handed Dunfermline a dramatic late victory, causing a major upset against their Premiership opponents.
