The Best Ban in Baseball: Smokeless Tobacco is Going, Going, Gone!

Posted on August 22, 2017 in Dental Health

Thanks to a push from the Knock Tobacco Out of the Park campaign, almost half of major league stadiums are now tobacco-free. The MLB chewing tobacco rule is the best ban in baseball. Here’s why:

Chewing and Baseball

Baseball and tobacco have more history together than Cracker Jacks and America’s favorite pastime. Smokeless tobacco became widespread in the early 1900s. Players enjoyed chewing because it kept their mouths and mitts from drying out.

It wasn’t until 1970 that the government began to educate America about the dangers of tobacco. Regardless of this newfound information, the tobacco industry passed out samples to players until 1998 when the MLB finally banned the practice.

With an estimated 30% of Major Leaguers still using smokeless tobacco, this terrible tradition continues. And unfortunately, the link between tobacco and poor oral health is just as strong.

How it Impacts Oral Health

Smokeless tobacco causes more than just bad breath and discolored teeth. Nicotine is absorbed through mouth tissues, putting users at high risk for tongue, cheek, gum and mouth cancers. In fact, 75% of people with oral cancer use some form of tobacco.

Those who dip are also at increased risk for heart disease, heart attacks, strokes as well as a whole host of oral and overall health complications.

The MLB Chewing Tobacco Ban

Not only are baseball players harming their health, they are setting a poor example to America’s youth. That’s why public health organizations—like Oral Health America and the American Cancer Society—advocated for the MLB chewing tobacco ban.

The hard work has paid off. In May 2015, San Francisco spearheaded the smokeless tobacco ban, making it illegal at all of its sporting venues. Now 14 of 30 major league stadiums are tobacco-free. And as of November 2016, all new MLB players are prohibited from using smokeless tobacco.

What’s Next?

Like any law, there’s power in numbers. Once the majority of stadiums are on board, it’s only a matter of time before the entire baseball community quits the dip.

You can help knock tobacco out of the park! Send an email to the MLB/Players Association today.

Here’s to an abundance of peanuts and Cracker Jacks—and hoping tobacco never comes back to the ballpark.