WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 1, 2016 – Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) have agreed to prohibit the use of smokeless tobacco products by all new players as part of the league’s new collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, the agreement prohibits current players from using smokeless tobacco if the city they play in has a tobacco-free law in place; allows MLB to fine players who violate local tobacco-free laws; and continues to enforce tobacco-related restrictions agreed to during previous collective bargaining agreements.
A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), follows:
“ACS CAN would like to thank Commissioner Manfred, Major League team owners and players for taking a significant step to remove smokeless tobacco products from baseball and set the right example for kids. Taking smokeless tobacco out of baseball 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.
“Smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 known carcinogens and causes oral, pancreatic and esophageal cancer. It also causes nicotine addiction and other serious health problems like gum disease, tooth decay and mouth lesions.
“Prohibiting the use of smokeless tobacco by incoming MLB players and enforcing city-wide tobacco-related regulations will help us move closer to making the next generation of baseball tobacco free.
“This move builds on the momentum of the growing number of Major League cities, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, to pass local laws that prohibit the use of smokeless tobacco products at the city’s sports venues. During the 2017 season, more than one-third of the Major League stadiums will be tobacco-free. We urge other cities to follow suit and pass comprehensive laws to cover their fans as well.
“Existing and future players, managers, and coaches wanting to quit using smokeless tobacco should have access to both tobacco cessation counseling and all FDA-approved cessation medications. ACS CAN encourages the MLB and the players’ union to make the resources available to help them find the most effective cessation tool to help them quit.”
About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.