No More SNUs For Athletes? Denmark Warns About Impact Of Nicotine

Last Updated:July 15, 2025, 16:45 IST

Elite Danish athletes are increasingly using nicotine pouches, raising health and performance concerns. Team Denmark warns nicotine can harm athletes' well-being and abilities.

(Credit: X)

An increasing number of elite Danish athletes are using nicotine pouches, raising health and performance concerns, according to Team Denmark—a national organization that supports elite sports. The group issued a warning this week, citing the negative impact the products may have on athletes’ well-being and competitive abilities.

Nicotine Use Reported During Training and Competition

Athletes are reportedly using nicotine pouches not only recreationally but also during training sessions and competitions.

“Sports officials from the federations of athletics, golf, ice hockey, and equestrian sports have reported an increase in athletes using these products," said Majke Jørgensen, a nutritionist with Team Denmark, in a statement to AFP.

Jørgensen explained that while some athletes use the pouches casually, others do so under the belief that nicotine might enhance their performance. “Some just use it recreationally, while others believe or have read that it provides them with a performance advantage," she said.

However, medical research points to clear health risks associated with nicotine use. A 2010 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that nicotine can elevate both heart rate and blood pressure, increasing overall strain on the cardiovascular system.

In sports requiring focus and a calm physical state—such as golf—these effects can be particularly detrimental. “In sports like golf, where precision and maintaining a steady heart rate are crucial, nicotine negatively impacts athletes’ performance," Jørgensen added.

Coaches and Staff Also Urged to Avoid Nicotine Products

Team Denmark is not only advising athletes to stop using nicotine pouches but is also encouraging coaches and support staff to refrain from using them. The goal is to reduce young athletes’ exposure to nicotine and prevent normalization of its use within elite sports environments.

While traditional snus—nicotine pouches containing tobacco—is banned in Denmark, nicotine pouches without tobacco, often referred to as “white snus," remain legal and widely available.

(with AFP inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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