England forward Jamie Vardy has reportedly been pictured with a packet of snus, a Scandinavian tobacco product.
Leicester City top scorer Vardy was left on the bench for the opening Euro 2016 fixture, a 1-1 draw with Russia, and was seen with the snus when leaving the England team hotel.
The Daily Mirror reports that the player was carrying the packet, along with a can of Red Bull, while walking to the team bus at England’s Chantilly base.
Jamie Vardy pictured with chewing tobacco packet in hand as England players leave team hotel https://t.co/4lBIzBH2zT pic.twitter.com/oa8gsGeirL
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) June 14, 2016
Snus users rub the tobacco under their gums, rather than smoking or chewing. It is popular in Sweden and other Nordic countries.
Vardy’s tastes have been noticed by Scandinavian football supporters, while a handful of England fans have also had their say on the matter.
Vardy med snus? #FCEM @2sporten pic.twitter.com/maI9aVwrU9
— Marius Nilsen (@MariusNilsen17) June 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/RickyBeard/status/742718576201719808
Really, nobody seems to care that much.
According to the Daily Mail, snus is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) monitoring list, but is not currently listed as a prohibited substance, meaning Vardy is not at risk of a doping violation.
WADA’s most recent prohibited list confirms this, while also listing caffeine among substances whose in-competition use is being monitored.
Snus essentially provides the buzz you’d get from nicotine, but with the harmful effects of smoke filling the lungs – though it’s still considered highly detrimental to long term health.
After missing the draw with Russia, Vardy will hope to get on the pitch in the potentially-crucial Group B meeting with Wales in Lens on Thursday.
