Mille Park is going to be smokeless tobacco free.
The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reports city council members in Milwaukee “overwhelmingly” voted to ban smokeless tobacco products at Miller Park. So, no dip, chew, or tinned tobacco products will be allowed in the venue, and all sporting arenas throughout the city. For those who plan on violating the ban, prepare to be given a $100-$250 ban.
“We fully support this initiative, and want to set an example for all Brewers fans in understanding the dangers of smokeless tobacco,” the Brewers said in an statement.
Chewing tobacco has long been an unfortunate part of MLB. Multiple cities have banned the product at stadiums, much to the chagrin of players. The Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, and San Francisco Giants are all playing in stadiums that have banned smokeless tobacco. In DC, city officials were also making to pass a ban.
The negative health effects associated with smokeless tobacco are unquestionably the biggest reasons for the ban. Multiple MLB players quit the substance after learning about the death of Tony Gwynn, who passed away from oral cancer after decades of using smokeless tobacco. Both Chris Sale and Stephen Strasburg quit using chew upon learning about Gwynn’s death.
There’s not much downside to the ban. Smokeless tobacco can cause serious long-term health problems and isn’t something players should want young fans to emulate. It will be a while, but eventually, the substance should be banned across MLB. There’s no advantage to allowing its use.
[Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel]
