Former Premier League forward Fraizer Campbell has revealed snus left him 'constantly fatigued' after becoming addicted during his playing career.

Campbell played for Manchester United in the Premier League after coming through the club’s academy, while he also spent time at Tottenham, Hull, Sunderland, Cardiff and Crystal Palace during his career.

The forward told the Sports Agents he was first introduced to snus – a tobacco-based nicotine product that users place between their upper lip and gumline – during his time at Palace, who he represented from 2014-17.

Campbell explained that he was initially introduced to snus by a team-mate and began using it to try to relax after matches.

'I felt relaxed, and it just chilled me out more than anything,' Campbell said.

'It was after a game as well, and after a game is, you know, it's one of them things that it's quite hard to relax after.

'It started off just after games, then training sessions, but that is how it starts and then you have the addiction and you are having them more and more.'

Campbell admitted that he would regularly suffer a 'slump in the afternoon' when he felt exhausted after becoming addicted to snus.

The former forward, now 39, explained that while he initially used snus to relax after matches, he increasingly began using it before training sessions.

'I definitely was addicted, but yeah, obviously, when I had more time on my hands when I retired, I had more time to have the snus,' Campbell said.

'So obviously, in the morning, while I was playing, I might have one in the morning or two in the morning and then for the next couple of hours I'd be out on the training pitch.

'I would never have them on a match day. Because, you know, it chilled me out too much, and I was someone that I'm pretty chill person as it is. If I was more chilled, I'd struggle to get into a jog.

'It got a lot worse after I finished playing football, but I didn't really see the negative side of it while I was playing.'

Campbell added that he is now 'six months clean' after tackling his addiction after feeling 'constantly fatigued'.

A study commissioned by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in 2024 found that one in five top-level players were using snus, nicotine pouches or both. 

There are concerns that the use of both substances has been linked to a variety of health issues, with the report claiming that users can develop nicotine dependency, 'an increased risk of oesophagus and pancreatic cancer compared to non-smokers', as well as oral health issues and cardiovascular problems. 

The PFA earlier this month launched a confidential support pathway to help its members overcome reliance on snus, nicotine pouches and vapes.

'Nicotine use is a growing trend among players right now. We know because we worked with Loughborough University on a world-first study to assess the scale of the issue in professional football,' the PFA said.

'Our research found that while the use of snus and nicotine pouches is high among players, most who use them would prefer to stop.'