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Smokeless Tobacco-free Baseball Ordinance is a Win for Public Health

April 7, 2016

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Marc Kaplan
(518) 796-1038

[email protected]

Smokeless Tobacco-free Baseball Ordinance is a Win for Public Health

Statement of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

Director of Metro New York Government Relations Michael Davoli

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 6, 2016 – “Mayor Bill de Blasio’s enactment of the legislation to make all stadiums and sports recreational facilities in New York smokeless tobacco-free could save thousands of young people from a lifetime of addiction to this deadly product. Prohibiting the use of all smokeless tobacco products at these facilities will help eliminate the powerful role model effect on youth who often mimic the behavior of their favorite players, even when that behavior is potentially deadly.

“Tobacco is the number one preventable cause of death in the nation. Even as youth smoking rates decline, smokeless tobacco use remains steady. Smokeless tobacco products contain at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals and are linked to oral, pancreatic and esophageal cancer. 

“Enjoying a baseball game as a family shouldn’t bring with it the potential risks of a lifetime of addiction for New York’s youngest fans. New York is sending a strong message to all kids by once and for all eliminating tobacco use on and off the field in our sports venues.”

New York now joins a growing number of cities across the country set to prohibit tobacco products in their sports arenas in time for the 2016 baseball season, including, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.