ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
San Francisco’s AT&T Park became the first tobacco-free stadium in 2016, and now more than half of MLB stadiums (17 of 30) of MLB stadiums are completely tobacco-free. Additionally, the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement began prohibiting new MLB players from using smokeless tobacco in 2016.
Baseball is on a clear and inevitable path toward a tobacco-free future, but the job isn’t finished. To protect our kids, the remaining MLB cities must act and eliminate all tobacco use at baseball venues across the country.
IN THE NEWS
Recent headlines have driven home the seriousness of the problem. In 2014, Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn died at age 54 from salivary gland cancer. Shortly after, pitching great Curt Schilling went public about his treatment for oral cancer. Both players attributed their health battles to their longtime use of smokeless tobacco. Their experiences generated widespread media coverage and calls to take tobacco out of baseball.
The Orioles today announced their support for the city of Baltimore Council Bill 23-0418, which prohibits the use of all tobacco products in stadiums within Baltimore City, including Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Additionally, the Orioles will ban the use of all tobacco products at the Ed Smith Stadium Complex, Baltimore’s Spring Training home in Sarasota, Florida, as well as at the Buck O’Neil Complex at Twin Lakes Park.
WBAL TV
January 24, 2024
It’s official: The days of using smokeless tobacco for Mariners players and competitors during games at Safeco Field are coming to an end. At a hearing Thursday afternoon, the King County Board of Health voted unanimously to prohibit smokeless tobacco at professional sports venues countywide — an ordinance that will take effect May 19. The move is in response to health advocates who say the habit among players sets a poor example for fans and young athletes.
The Seattle Times
April 19, 2018
Baseball players with big wads of chewing tobacco in their cheek are now a thing from the past at Busch Stadium. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted Friday to prohibit the use of smokeless tobacco products like chewing tobacco, dip and snuff at all sports venues, including Cardinals games at Busch Stadium….Cardinals spokesman Ron Watermon said the team supported the ban.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
February 3, 2017
USA Today
December 1, 2016
Get the Facts
Smokeless tobacco includes products like chewing tobacco, snuff, and dip, snus, nicotine pouches and dissolvable products. Learn more about how these products impact kids.