Major League Baseball

NYC passes bill banning smokeless tobacco in ballparks

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:29 p.m. ET

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NEW YORK — The New York City Council has passed legislation that would ban the use of smokeless tobacco products at all ticketed baseball stadiums, sports arenas and recreation areas.

The legislation passed Tuesday by a vote of 44-3. It was sponsored by Council Member Corey Johnson, Chair of the council's Committee on Health.

Similar bans have already been enacted in Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco ballparks. Both the Mets and Yankees have said they support the ban.

''It's just something we have to deal with,'' Yankees reliever Andrew Miller said in Tampa, Florida. ''I don't see anybody protesting. There's rules that we have to follow.''

Matthew Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, applauded the move saying the legislation ''sends a simple and powerful message to kids'' that ''baseball and tobacco don't mix.''

The local law will take effect immediately once Mayor Bill de Blasio signs it, hopefully by opening day.

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