Several Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums will be tobacco-free by 2016 Opening Day as the campaign to end smokeless tobacco use in baseball gains momentum, according to the group Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
"Our Knock Tobacco Out of the Park campaign is gaining momentum from coast to coast," stated Matthew L. Myers, president of the group, in a press release. "The cities that have already made baseball tobacco-free have set an example that all Major League baseball teams should follow by 2016 Opening Day. For too long we have witnessed the impact on our nation's youth of the use of smokeless tobacco by Major League Baseball players. Our national pastime should be about promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, not a deadly and addictive product."
In recent months, several cities and California have taken steps to make baseball tobacco-free:
- In May, San Francisco became the first city to prohibit the use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, at all athletic fields, including the AT&T Park. The law takes effect January 1, 2016.
- In September, Boston passed a ban on all tobacco use at sports venues, including Fenway Park. The law takes effect April 1, 2016.
- The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote soon, according to the release, on the prohibition of smokeless tobacco at all athletic venues, including Dodger Stadium.
- In October, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a statewide law outlawing smokeless tobacco use in all public areas of stadiums.
