Stimulating effect

Legal drug as a great danger for our youth

Nicotine pouches are omnipresent on soccer pitches across the country(Bild: Dostal Harald)

Snus and nicotine pouches: experts warn of the high addictive potential and the danger that many users could soon turn to harder substances. However, athletes in particular rely on the stimulating effect of the pouches, which have only been permitted in Upper Austria from the age of 18 since December.

A footballer on the bench of the Upper Austrian league team SPG Wels unashamedly puts a white pouch under his upper lip before being substituted after an hour. What has just happened there in Wels has now become a phenomenon throughout the province and in many sports - regardless of whether they are pure amateurs or professionals: Athletes get their kicks from snus or tobacco pouches.