Becky's Blog
Have you heard the recent news about Tobacco-Free Ball Park Victory?
Dec 27, 2011
As CNN wrote, “A baseball tradition is about to end.” Ever since baseball became a profession sport, players and coaches have been using chewing tobacco. Everyone did it, and the tradition carried on until now. The Major League Baseball has recently announced it is now illegal for baseball players and coaches to chew tobacco in public. Although this may sound like a minor rule, it is great that the MLB has agreed to ban tobacco usage in front of fans. Not only are they unable to use the product, but also even be seen carrying the tin or package anytime in the ballpark.
A lot of kids look up to sports stars as their role models. If a 13 year old boy sees his favorite baseball star chewing tobacco, he may think it is the “cool” thing to do and follow. This may also be the reason why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 15% of males in high school used smokeless tobacco. The more often people are exposed to an image, the more likely it is that they will find it acceptable. Kids who are not able to access tobacco can use the closely imitated gum “Big League Chew” which is even named after the real thing. According to Tobacco-Free Baseball, tobacco companies are spending record sums to promote smokeless tobacco products, and the MLB was supporting this expansion unconsciously.
How was this victory possible? One of the key players in advocating awareness for banning chewing tobacco on the baseball field was Tobacco Free Baseball. The coalition to Knock Tobacco Out of the Park including more than 200 health groups, baseball leagues, and members of congress, sent a letter with almost 11,000 names to petition against using smokeless tobacco at games and on camera (This includes over 100 names of The 84 youth!). This does not only help the young adults and children who watch baseball, but also the health of the players. It allows players to be true role models. Although this does not promise that the rate of smokeless tobacco will decline in any way, it is still one step forward that can improve the health and smoking rates amongst people in the US.
If you want to read more about or get involved with the recently signed contract, check out www.tobaccofreebaseball.org’s website!
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As CNN wrote, “A baseball tradition is about to end.” Ever since baseball became a profession sport, players and coaches have been using chewing tobacco. Everyone did it, and the tradition carried on until now. The Major League Baseball has recently announced it is now illegal for baseball players and coaches to chew tobacco in public. Although this may sound like a minor rule, it is great that the MLB has agreed to ban tobacco usage in front of fans. Not only are they unable to use the product, but also even be seen carrying the tin or package anytime in the ballpark.
A lot of kids look up to sports stars as their role models. If a 13 year old boy sees his favorite baseball star chewing tobacco, he may think it is the “cool” thing to do and follow. This may also be the reason why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 15% of males in high school used smokeless tobacco. The more often people are exposed to an image, the more likely it is that they will find it acceptable. Kids who are not able to access tobacco can use the closely imitated gum “Big League Chew” which is even named after the real thing. According to Tobacco-Free Baseball, tobacco companies are spending record sums to promote smokeless tobacco products, and the MLB was supporting this expansion unconsciously.
How was this victory possible? One of the key players in advocating awareness for banning chewing tobacco on the baseball field was Tobacco Free Baseball. The coalition to Knock Tobacco Out of the Park including more than 200 health groups, baseball leagues, and members of congress, sent a letter with almost 11,000 names to petition against using smokeless tobacco at games and on camera (This includes over 100 names of The 84 youth!). This does not only help the young adults and children who watch baseball, but also the health of the players. It allows players to be true role models. Although this does not promise that the rate of smokeless tobacco will decline in any way, it is still one step forward that can improve the health and smoking rates amongst people in the US.
If you want to read more about or get involved with the recently signed contract, check out www.tobaccofreebaseball.org’s website!
