TL;DR
- VCT Champions organizers issued penalties for tobacco product usage during competitive matches
- Teams face timeout losses and potential disqualification for violating nicotine restrictions
- Rule enforcement extends to support staff and coaching personnel in match areas
- Community identified potential loopholes with non-nicotine vaping products
- Professional players committing to addiction management for competitive integrity
Multiple professional Valorant teams competing at VCT Champions have received official sanctions for violating tournament substance policies, specifically regarding tobacco consumption during competitive play.
Following allegations of snus usage—a smokeless tobacco product typically positioned between the upper lip and gums—affected competitors utilized social media platforms to discuss the disciplinary actions imposed by Riot Games officials. During the critical Group D elimination match featuring DRX versus Natus Vincere, the European squad faced penalties after one member was reportedly using the tobacco alternative during gameplay.
Head coach Erik “d00mbr0s” Sandgren publicly confirmed that his team forfeited one strategic timeout due to the substance violation.
Rip 1 timeout
— 100T d00mbr0s (@d00mbr0s) August 7, 2023
Riot Games maintains strict prohibitions against tobacco consumption at all VCT-sanctioned events for multiple competitive integrity reasons, including potential performance enhancement or degradation effects. The regulations extend beyond competing athletes to encompass all support personnel, who are similarly barred from nicotine usage near active players. Within the current VCT 2023 competitive rulebook, tobacco appears explicitly listed among substances forbidden within designated match areas during tournament operations.
“Tobacco and other nicotine products are prohibited in the Match Area,” the official regulation clearly states.
Valorant community analysts quickly highlighted historical instances where alternative nicotine delivery systems allegedly circumvented enforcement. Evil Geniuses head coach Christine “potter” Chi was observed utilizing a vaping device within the coaching station during VCT Masters Tokyo matches. Since current regulations specifically ban only tobacco and nicotine substances, this technicality potentially permits vaping devices containing neither restricted component, which remain commercially available without prescription requirements.
Team Liquid’s star performer Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel emphasized that substance violations carry severe consequences, including potential team disqualification from championship contention. The professional marksman declared his commitment to overcoming snus dependency moving forward to maintain competitive eligibility.
Action Checklist
- Review VCT 2023 rulebook sections 4.2.7 and 7.3.1 regarding substance policies
- Implement team-wide substance education sessions before major tournaments
- Establish clear protocols for support staff conduct in match areas
- Develop personal accountability plans for managing nicotine dependencies during competition periods
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Riot cracks down on tobacco products used at VCT Champions Understanding VCT tobacco penalties and competitive integrity rules for professional Valorant teams