There’s no question that the Detroit Red Wings are off to a smoking hot start to the 2025-26 NHL season.

What’s not so hot around Little Caesars Arena is the use of smokeless tobacco. Just this past week, the city of Detroit announced a ban on the use of all smokeless tobacco products in any of the city’s arenas or stadiums. The fine for using any of these products inside these facilities is set at $500.

According to the ordinance, “smokeless tobacco, alternative nicotine products and other tobacco products” will be banned. The ban includes fans, players and coaches.
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What does that have to do with the Red Wings, you might ask? Well, snuff, or snus, as it’s also known – pouches of pure nicotine that are inserted between the inside of the mouth and the gums – are very popular with young men. And that includes some of the young men who play for the Red Wings.

Some Red Wings players are frequent users of snus, with defenseman Albert Johansson at the top of the list.

“I almost thought it was a joke when I read about it,” Johansson told writer Johan Eriksson of Swedish website Expressen about the ban. “The fact that I smoke snus is nothing to be ashamed of.

“I’ll probably smoke extra snus at home and maybe smuggle something in. We’ll see.”

Some Red Wings Players Are Users of Snus

According to data from the Center for Disease Control, smokeless tobacco use among American men averages out at about 4.2%. However, among American males between the ages of 18-25, usage jumps to 10.5%.

The risks of snus use include nicotine addiction, gum disease, tooth decay, cardiovascular issues, and cancer.

Around one in five male and female professional players who took part in a new survey are currently using snus, nicotine pouches or both

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Surprisingly, considering that they are professional athletes, some Red Wings players are users of snus. Detroit forward Lucas Raymond, a snus user, says usage is commonplace among NHL players. Still, he understands why the ban is being put into place.

“It’s not something you want to promote to younger people or anything,” Raymond said. He plans to do his snus imbibing away from the rink in the future.

“Yes, I smoke, but rules are rules, so you have to stick to them,” Raymond said. “So that will have to wait until you get out of here.”