NEW YORK -- New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed four pieces of legislation in relation to prohibiting the use of smokeless tobacco at sports and recreational areas that issue tickets.
“We are home to some of the most iconic sports arenas in the country, and our youth nationwide look up to the athletes in that spotlight,” said de Blasio. “With Intro. 1068-A, we are taking a huge step forward to ensure that our youth are not exposed to dangerous practices. I’d like to thank Council Speaker Mark-Viverito and the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Corey Johnson, for bringing this legislation forward.”
The bill amends the Smoke Free Air Act. It helps reduce the visibility of smokeless tobacco where young people are likely to see their role models using it, he said. In addition, this bill expands the Smoke Free Air Act to ensure that all forms of tobacco use are prohibited at covered sporting events.
“This bill sends a clear message: tobacco use has no place in New York City professional sports,” said Johnson, chair of the Committee on Health. “When athletes who are role models to children are regularly shown on TV using smokeless tobacco, it sends a harmful message. Statistics clearly show us that high school athletes use chewing tobacco at a steady rate, even though smoking rates among their classmates has dropped. I want to thank commissioner Mary Bassett for her support, and I thank Mayor de Blasio for signing this legislation that will benefit the health of the players and the many kids who watch from home and in the stands.”
The New York Yankees said in a statement, “Major League Baseball has long supported a ban of smokeless tobacco at the Major League level, and the New York Yankees fully support the proposed local law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York pertaining to prohibiting the use of smokeless tobacco at ticketed sports arenas and recreation areas.”
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