Common Council votes 14-1 to approve ban on smokeless tobacco at Milwaukee sports venues

MILWAUKEE -- The full Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday, November 22nd approved a ban on chewing tobacco at Milwaukee sports venues.

The council voted 14-1 to adopt the ban.

The move is meant to discourage Major League baseball players from "dipping" during games in Milwaukee.

Supporters of the ban say it's a bad example for kids to see their idols doing something that's bad for their health.

By the start of the 2017 Milwaukee Brewers season, smokeless tobacco bans are expected to be in place at 11 of the 30 MLB ballparks -- not including Milwaukee's Miller Park.

Below is a statement on the approval of this ban from Alderman Michael Murphy:

"I want to publicly thank my Common Council colleagues for their overwhelming support in the 14-1 vote to adopt legislation I sponsored banning smokeless tobacco at Miller Park and other sports venues in Milwaukee.

It is clear that today’s action puts our city on the right side of this issue, and sends the clear message to everyone – but especially kids – that smokeless tobacco is dangerous. Smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 known carcinogens and causes oral, pancreatic and esophageal cancer. The product also causes nicotine addiction and other serious health problems like gum disease, tooth decay and mouth lesions.

I also want to thank the many sponsors and supporters who have been standing in favor of the legislation from the beginning: The Milwaukee Brewers; Community Advocates; the American Cancer Society; Major League Baseball and former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig; the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids; and the American Lung Association."