Senators: Ban smokeless tobacco use in MLB

[WestVirginiaRebel]

MSNBC:

Two Democratic senators are asking baseball commissioner Bud Selig to ban all tobacco use in the sport, specifically citing smokeless products.

Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey are suggesting that Selig push for a ban as part of the negotiations in the players' collective bargaining agreement later this year.

Major League Baseball banned tobacco use in its minor leagues in 1993, but still allows it in the big leagues. The senators say Major League Baseball "is undoubtedly complicit" in the increase its use with school-aged boys.

In a letter to Selig, Durbin and Lautenberg wrote, "We now know conclusively that smokeless tobacco endangers the health of baseball players who use it, but it also affects millions of young people who watch baseball."

"The use of smokeless tobacco by baseball players undermines the positive image of the sport and sends a dangerous message to young fans, who may be influenced by the players they look up to as role models," they wrote

The senators say they were motivated to write the letter because of an recent newspaper article written by Washington Nationals pitcher Steven Strasburg. The pitcher said his initial use chewing tobacco stemmed from a desire to emulate pro baseball players.

Referencing a National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the senators say the use of smokeless tobacco products has increased 36% among high school boys since 2003, raising its use among all boys to 15%.

"While tobacco companies spend millions on ads tailored to attract young people to use tobacco products, MLB is undoubtedly complicit in attracting many young people to try smokeless tobacco after seeing their baseball heroes chew tobacco," they wrote.

The senators sent an identical letter to Baseball Players Association Executive Director Michael Weiner.
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It sounds like these two guys (Durbin and Lautenberg) are the Weiners...

[Chickadee]

I was surprised yesterday, when I was flipping through MrC's CAR AND DRIVER, to see a full page ad by RJRT for Camel SNUS. I am not a fan! I am also not a fan of legislating every little part of our lives, but when kids and young adults are involved . . .

 

Here are the words on the page: (emphasis added)

Break Free

Zero emissions

Smoke-free, Drama-free tobacco pleasure

Camel SNUS empowers tasty tobacco pleasure without smoke.

Simply place a pouch smoothly inside your lip and enjoy the green light for tobacco enjoyment.

Camel SNUS--the pleasure's all yours

 

Four flavors are listed: frost, robust, mellow, winterchill.

 

There is the large-font warning at the bottom of the page, as in the image below. (This one doesn't say, can cause cancer like in some other ads.)

 

What bothers me about this and other RJRT ads is the underlying message and to whom and how it is targeted.

 

During the Christmas season (Dec. 2010) they ran ads inferring you could use these 'packets' to stop smoking. See this article.

 

[Valin]

To Sens. Dick Durbin Frank Lautenberg

 

[Saltbag]

It'll just get more discreet until nobody knows you're "using" nicotine. I wouldn't even put it past a suppository.

[pollyannaish]

I hate being around this stuff 'cause it's messy and disgusting. I don't think it's good for you and causes horrific cancers.

 

And it's none of the government's business who does and who doesn't.

 

Simple as that.

[Saltbag]

I hate being around this stuff 'cause it's messy and disgusting. I don't think it's good for you and causes horrific cancers.

 

And it's none of the government's business who does and who doesn't.

 

Simple as that.

 

Absolutely agree. I've never smoked a single cigarette. I've never dipped (although, I have very sadly mistaken someone's dip cup for my water cup at work.) I think we're beyond the point where there's any mystery that smoking is terrible for you, but people should have their options. It's a conscious choice at this point, and it's just another case of parents needing to educate their children versus the nanny state.

[pollyannaish]

I hate being around this stuff 'cause it's messy and disgusting. I don't think it's good for you and causes horrific cancers.

 

And it's none of the government's business who does and who doesn't.

 

Simple as that.

 

Absolutely agree. I've never smoked a single cigarette. I've never dipped (although, I have very sadly mistaken someone's dip cup for my water cup at work.) I think we're beyond the point where there's any mystery that smoking is terrible for you, but people should have their options. It's a conscious choice at this point, and it's just another case of parents needing to educate their children versus the nanny state.

 

 

I didn't grow up around folks who used any form of nicotine. My first job out of college, however, was a designer for a landscaping company in a nearby cowboy town. I learned VERY quickly to be wary of wear I walked in the shop, and to pick up empty pop cans and styrofoam cups carefully in the break area. It was quite a shock to sheltered little me.

 

Honestly though, it used to break my heart to see 18 and 20 year olds trying to rinse the blood off their teeth and gums that developed after chewing for several years. Great looking, in terrific physical condition, tanned...with the teeth and gums of an 85 year old who didn't take care of himself. Ruined the whole thing.

 

Eventually, the whole regular crew decided to detox and they did a great job of breaking the habit. Instead, they'd sit around after work once in a while and enjoy cigars. But honestly, it was so great when everyone quit.