Durbin, Lautenberg ask MLB Commissioner to Ban Tobacco Use
Senators commend young pitcher for choosing to set a good example by quitting
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Citing the recent announcement by Washington
Nationals pitcher Steven Strasburg about the dangers of smokeless
tobacco in Major League Baseball (MLB), U.S. Senators Dick Durbin
(D-IL) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today called on the Commissioner of
the MLB, Bud Selig, and the MLB Players Association to ban the use of
tobacco products on the field, in the dugout, and in the locker rooms
at MLB venues.
“It has been 28 years since the
MLB ended tobacco use in its minor leagues, and it is time to extend
that policy throughout MLB’s venues and events. 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,” wrote Durbin and Lautenberg. “The National Youth
Risk Behavior Survey found that the use of smokeless tobacco products
has increased by 36 percent among high school boys since 2003.”
Durbin and Lautenberg cited the troubling statistics and numerous health risks of tobacco use: “Tobacco-related
products kill 443,000 Americans every year, and each day 1,000 American
children and teenagers become new regular smokers…Smokeless tobacco
causes cancers of the stomach, larynx, esophagus, oral cancer -- which
can require disfiguring surgery -- and pancreatic cancer, one of the
deadliest forms of cancers. The use of smokeless tobacco is also linked
to cardiovascular disease, gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth lesions.”
In the January 31st Washington Post
article, Washington Nationals pitcher Steven Strasburg announced his
effort to quit using smokeless tobacco – also known as chewing tobacco
or ‘dip’. Strasburg pointed to his desire to emulate professional
baseball players as a reason why he began using smokeless tobacco.
In a separate letter sent today to Strasburg, Durbin and Lautenberg commended the young pitcher’s resolve: “Your
individual decision to quit smokeless tobacco, not only for your
health, but to set a positive image for the young people who look up to
you and watch baseball, is laudable. We want to encourage you to stick
with it. Baseball fans will notice. Your example could prevent disease
and disability and save a few lives.”
[Text of the letters below]
February 15, 2011
Allan H. “Bud” Selig, Commissioner
Major League Baseball
245 Park Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, New York 10167
Dear Commissioner Selig:
We write to ask that Major League Baseball (MLB) prohibit the use of
tobacco products on the field, the dugout, and the lockers rooms at all
venues.
It has been 28 years since the MLB ended tobacco
use in its minor leagues, and it is time to extend that policy
throughout MLB’s venues and events. 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.
Tobacco-related products kill 443,000 Americans every year, and each
day 1,000 American children and teenagers become new regular smokers.
The U.S. Surgeon General, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and the
U.S. National Cancer Institute have concluded that smokeless tobacco
causes cancers of the stomach, larynx, esophagus, oral cancer -- which
can require disfiguring surgery -- and pancreatic cancer, one of the
deadliest forms of cancers. The use of smokeless tobacco is also linked
to cardiovascular disease, gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth lesions.
The National Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that the use of smokeless
tobacco products has increased by 36 percent among high school boys
since 2003, raising the number of high school boys using smokeless
tobacco to an alarming 15 percent. 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.
In 1993 Major League Baseball took the commendable
step of prohibiting the use of smokeless tobacco and other tobacco
products in the minor leagues. When MLB convenes at the Baseball Winter
Meetings in December 2011 to negotiate a new collective bargaining
agreement, we urge you to advocate for a prohibition on the use of all
forms of tobacco products in the final contract. Such an agreement
would protect the health of players and their young fans.
Thank you for your consideration of this important public health issue.
Sincerely,
February 15, 2011
Michael Weiner, Executive Director
Major League Baseball Players Association
12 East 49th Street, 24th Floor
New York, New York 10167
Dear Mr. Weiner:
We write to ask that the Major League Baseball Players Association
prohibit the use of tobacco products on the field, the dugout, and the
lockers rooms at all venues.
It has been 28 years since
Major League Baseball (MLB) ended tobacco use in its minor leagues, and
it is time to extend that policy throughout MLB’s venues and events. 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.
Tobacco-related products kill
443,000 Americans every year, and each day 1,000 American children and
teenagers become new regular smokers. The U.S. Surgeon General, the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control, and the U.S. National Cancer
Institute have concluded that smokeless tobacco causes cancers of the
stomach, larynx, esophagus, oral cancer -- which can require
disfiguring surgery -- and pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest
forms of cancers. The use of smokeless tobacco is also linked to
cardiovascular disease, gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth lesions.
The National Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that the use of smokeless
tobacco products has increased by 36 percent among high school boys
since 2003, raising the number of high school boys using smokeless
tobacco to an alarming 15 percent. 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.
In 1993 Major League Baseball took the commendable
step of prohibiting the use of smokeless tobacco and other tobacco
products in the minor leagues. When the Players Association and the MLB
convene at the Baseball Winter Meetings in December 2011 to negotiate a
new collective bargaining agreement, we urge you to advocate for a
prohibition on the use of all forms of tobacco products in the final
contract. Such an agreement would protect the health of players and
their young fans.
Thank you for your consideration of this important public health issue.
Sincerely,
February 15, 2011
Stephen Strasburg
c/o Sheryl Rampy
Washington Nationals
1500 South Capitol Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Dear Mr. Strasburg,
We read the Washington Post article in which you discussed your use of
smokeless tobacco and commitment to quitting. We commend you for
sharing your addiction to -- and your resolve to quit -- smokeless
tobacco with your young fans and the American people.
Your
story resonates with many Americans who, like you, started using
smokeless tobacco as a way to emulate the major league baseball players
they admired on television and at the baseball park. For many people,
this innocent effort to imitate role models develops into a powerful
addiction with severe health consequences, including cancer,
cardiovascular disease, gum disease, and tooth decay.
While
smoking among youth has declined dramatically in the last 10 years,
there has been a 36 percent increase in smokeless tobacco use among
high school boys. In 2009, the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
estimated that 15 percent of high school boys currently use smokeless
tobacco products.
Your individual decision to quit smokeless
tobacco, not only for your health, but to set a positive image for the
young people who look up to you and watch baseball, is laudable. We
want to encourage you to stick with it. Baseball fans will notice. Your
example could prevent disease and disability and save a few lives.
We wish you every success in your efforts to quit and in your recovery
from Tommy John surgery. We all look forward to seeing you back on the
field.
Sincerely,
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