City of S.F. officials are "looking to end" the tradition of chewing tobacco at MLB games "with an ordinance that would ban smokeless tobacco from ball fields throughout the city, including at AT&T Park," according David Wharton of the L.A. TIMES. The ban "still needs to pass a second Board of Supervisors vote and be signed by Mayor Ed Lee before AT&T Park becomes the first major league stadium to ban the use of smokeless tobacco." MLB "welcomed the legislation," while the MLBPA "declined to comment." Dodgers P J.P. Howell said, "I'm for it. It should be enforced. It's common sense. It's a filthy habit. I do it. Maybe it will help me quit." However, Howell "believes enforcement of the ordinance will be problematic for officials." He said, "Guys are going to do what they want. I don't think they would remove us." Wharton notes S.F.'s proposed law "would add smokeless tobacco to the more-common prohibitions against smoking cigarettes at ballparks." Giants manager Bruce Bochy said, "We'll comply with city and state laws. Hopefully, it will help these players. It's not an easy thing to get off" (L.A. TIMES, 4/23).
