September 29, 2011   A campaign backed by members of Congress and Commissioner Bud Selig is taking on something that’s been part of the game’s culture for well over 150 years by convincing players to give up chewing tobacco on the field and in the dugout. Public health groups have gained traction with a classic argument: when ballplayers are seen chewing a wad of tobacco or using dip, they set a bad health example for kids who look up to the players as role models. The Centers for Disease Control says that smokeless tobacco can cause cancer, oral health problems and nicotine addiction, and stresses it is not a safe alternative to smoking. Despite the risks, the CDC’s most recent survey found that in 2009, 15 percent of high school boys used smokeless tobacco — a more than one-third increase over 2003, when 11 percent did. The sport’s current collective bargaining agreement expires in December and Selig, who endorsed the ban in March, has said he will propose it in the new contract.

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