The home of the San Francisco Giants will soon be tobacco-free if Mayor Ed Lee signs an ordinance prohibiting the use of tobacco products in baseball events.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday, passing an ordinance banning the use of all tobacco products by players and fans at the AT&T Park, as well as all athletic fields and baseball venues in the county and city of San Francisco. A first of its kind in the country, the measure will be going through a final vote on April 28 before being submitted to Mayor Lee for signing.
"San Francisco will become the first city to take tobacco out of baseball, setting a powerful example that all of Major League Baseball and the rest of the country should follow," said Matthew Myers, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids president.
The Board of Supervisors mainly decided to ban tobacco in baseball events because members recognized that children look up to athletes. As role models then, athletes can influence tobacco use in children if they are seen using them, even smokeless products like chewing tobacco.
"Our national pastime should have nothing to do with promoting a deadly and addictive product," added Myers.
According to Mark Farrell, a member of the Board of Supervisors, officials from Major League Baseball actually support the ordinance. Minor League Baseball had already banned the use of chewing tobacco in the 1990s, so it was about time for the major league to do the same.
According to a study by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, using smokeless tobacco dramatically increases risks for pancreatic and oral cancer, as well as nicotine addiction and gum disease. Almost 15 percent of high school males in the United States are also using smokeless tobacco, a highly attractive precursor to cigarette smoking. With tobacco use more prevalent in high school students involved in organized sports, the sports- and tobacco-related move makes a lot of sense for San Francisco.
Farrell added that once the ordinance is official, it will be enforced in the same way that authorities apprehend regular smoking violations — signs will be posted to notify the public and those who violate the ordinance will be removed from the premises.
What if a player chews tobacco at the AT&T Park?
Jess Montejano, Farrell's aide, hopes it wouldn't come to that, what with the league working to educate players coming to the park to ensure they are in compliance with the ordinance.
Photo: Travis Wise | Flickr
