Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Robin Fell, the principal Commons doorkeeper, discusses the provision of MPs' snuff with the BBC's Sam Francis

It is said to offer a performance-enhancing pick-me-up for crucial Commons tests of mettle... or chemical consolation for those found wanting. But do MPs still need their supply of snuff?

Under a tradition sparked when smoking was banned in the chamber in the late 17th century, snuff, or powdered tobacco, is distributed on demand and free of charge to MPs.

Few partake nowadays, and for Green MP Caroline Lucas it has become an emblem of how Parliament remains tethered to a bygone era.

"As I walked into the chamber today, I noticed the snuff box still provided for MPs by the entrance," Ms Lucas reported in 2012, during a debate on reforming Commons working hours.

"I hope that members will take this opportunity to bring the Commons out of the snuff age and into the 21st century," she said.

History of snuff First known use of snuff was in Brazil, where tobacco leaves were ground down with Rosewood pestles

A Franciscan monk who travelled to the Caribbean with Christopher Columbus in 1493 brought some back to Europe. It was named snuff by the Dutch

By the early 17th century, use had spread throughout South America, China, Japan and Africa. It had reached Britain by 1650, and its use peaked in England during the reign of Queen Anne (1702-14)

Queen of France Catherine de Medici, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Marie Antoinette, Disraeli, Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson were all users

But in 1761, London physician and botanist John Hill claimed that snuff use could cause nasal cancer Source: World Health Organisation

The sight of the snuff box - fashioned from wood reclaimed from the old Commons chamber, which was destroyed in World War II, and decorated with a silver plaque - piqued another MP's curiosity, and he tabled a written question in Parliament on the topic.

Conservative MP for Gillingham and Rainham Rehman Chishti called on the House authorities to disclose how much snuff had been distributed to his colleagues in the past decade, and at what cost.

"It is unusual for members to request snuff, and there are no regular users of this facility. No records of usage or cost are maintained," came the response.

"Recent practice has been for this tradition to be maintained at the principal doorkeeper's personal expense."

Mr Chishti told the BBC: "Parliament is full of these quirky and anachronistic rituals and procedures.

"The last time this question was asked it was found that in 1989, 1.5 oz of snuff was being consumed at the cost of 99p.

"The answer to my recent question appears to show that no one's really using it, it's not paid for by the taxpayer and it's therefore not currently costing very much money."

Robin Fell, the current occupant of the principal doorkeeper post, described his snuff-distribution duties as a "great privilege" in a recent interview with BBC Parliament's Sam Francis - despite the apparent paucity of dabblers.

'Immunity'

"It may come as a surprise to some people, as it does to some MPs, that I pay for the snuff," he said.

"A member may perhaps feel the need for a mild stimulant before he enters the chamber, or perhaps when he's leaving the chamber if he's had an unfortunate experience in there.

"But it's not a serious drain on my emoluments, because when I took over the job, my predecessor left me with a nice supply of snuff and I haven't had to replenish it yet.

As a non-smoker, I had thought snuff would have the same consistency as rolling tobacco and couldn't imagine snorting it would be a nice experience. I was presented with a box of something that had the consistency of hot chocolate powder or finely sieved soil. The snuff had quite a kick and my eyes were watering for several seconds after taking it. The stimulating effect was relatively mild - it may simply have been eclipsed by the large cup of coffee I'd had that morning. Though I won't be rushing to a tobacconists any time soon, I liked it enough to try some menthol snuff too.

"In due course, I suspect, perhaps next year, I might have to tootle off to a snuff shop, and purchase some."

Martin Dockrell, the director of policy and research at public health charity Ash, commented: "It seems a shame for the poor doorkeeper who has to shell out from his own pocket for MPs' snuff.

"But this tradition is a useful reminder of just how far things have changed. It used to be the sign of a good host to offer visitors tobacco and now it is the sign of a good guest not to smoke indoors - at least not without asking.

"It is, of course illegal to give free samples of tobacco products so organisations should be wary of following Parliament's example, unless they share the immunity of a royal palace."

There appears to be scant data on the health risks for non-smokers using nasal snuff, although an increased risk of cancer has recently been observed in smokers and ex-smokers who take the powder.

Public Health England notes that similar products, such as chewing tobacco, are "known to be carcinogenic", and advises "strongly against use of tobacco in any of its formulations, including snuff".

But Ms Lucas concluded that the Commons snuff supply was "perhaps just a faintly amusing anachronism, which falls into the category... of traditional things that are not harmful".

The principal doorkeeper puts it pithily: "If members want a pinch of snuff, why shouldn't they have a pinch of snuff?"