Democrats seek to ban chewing tobacco in baseball

The Nanny State

• As a non-smoker I have no problem with bans on smoking in public places.  Everyone has the right to breath clean air.  But nanny state bans on chewing????  That act harms no one but the user.  But Big Brother Government is out to control your every action no matter how private.

(Reuters) - Major League Baseball players would be banned from using chewing tobacco at games in California under a bill expected to be introduced in the state legislature on Tuesday, the first in a nationwide campaign planned by anti-tobacco activists.

The bill targets baseball's ubiquitous habit less than a year after retired San Diego Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn died of cancer of the salivary glands, believed related to chewing tobacco or "dipping" it by lodging it between the lip and the gum.

"Tony Gwynn was somebody I thought was a spokesman for baseball, a great role model as a person," said Assembly member Tony Thurmond, a Democrat who represents Richmond and other suburbs east of San Francisco and the bill's author.

"I'm hopeful that this bill will lend to his legacy, that it will help to prevent illness for young people and young athletes."

Smoking is already banned in Major League Baseball, and the minor leagues have prohibited dipping and chewing, although some say the minor league rules are not strictly enforced. Major League Baseball strongly discourages the use of smokeless tobacco, but has not banned it.

Thurmond's bill would ban use of all tobacco products at baseball stadiums in the state, including dipping, chewing, smoking or using electronic or e-cigarettes. It would also require baseball stadiums to post signs announcing the ban in all dugouts, bullpens, locker rooms, bathrooms and at all entrances.

A spokesman for Major League Baseball did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.