San Francisco has now become the first city in the U.S. that has banned the chewing of tobacco at all its sports venues, including AT&T Park, which is the home of San Francisco's Major League Baseball team, the Giants. The law comes into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.
Ed Lee, mayor of San Francisco, has signed an ordinance that prohibits people from chewing smokeless tobacco at the city's ballparks. For long, chewing tobacco has been a tradition for many baseball players, but now they will also be barred from chewing tobacco during a game.
Bruce Bochy, manager of the Giants, has been chewing tobacco for decades, but he applauds the tobacco ban in San Francisco.
"It's a step in the right direction," said Bochy. "I think it can be a good thing. It's going to be hard to enforce. It's a tough habit to break."
Bochy revealed that he advised his two sons not to start dipping tobacco.
The latest smokeless tobacco ban at San Francisco ballparks is part of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, which targeted California and San Francisco for promoting its anti-tobacco efforts.
"The home of the world champion Giants has set an example that all of Major League Baseball and the rest of the country should quickly follow," said Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Smokeless tobacco includes chewing tobacco and moist snuff. Minor leagues have banned the use of smokeless tobacco since June 1993. However, Major League Baseball is unable to ban smokeless tobacco without an agreement with the Major League Baseball Association.
Players, coaches and managers are not allowed to chew smokeless tobacco during an interview. They are also barred from carrying any tobacco when wearing their uniform and also while fans are present at the ballpark.
The baseball league approves of the ban in San Francisco for protection of the youth of the nation.
San Francisco officials will enforce the ban in the same way as smoking, which is by posting signs and removing violators from the venue.
Reports suggest that about 15 percent of high school boys in the country are in the habit of using smokeless tobacco. The percentage is even higher among boys who participate in organized sports in comparison to non-athletes.
Experts believe that smokeless tobacco can lead to an increased risk of developing cancer and gum diseases. Chewing smokeless tobacco can also lead to nicotine addiction.
