Board advances ordinance to ban smokeless tobacco at stadiums and public athletic fields

The Board of Supervisors on April 21 moved forward an ordinance to ban smokeless tobacco products at stadiums, sports arenas and public playing fields across San Francisco. The item passed unanimously on its first reading.

Supervisor Mark Farrell, the ordinance's author, said new research from the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education shows smokeless tobacco significantly increases risks of oral and pancreatic cancers, gum disease and nicotine addiction, and that role-modeling by athletes and coaches contributes to youth initiation. Farrell, a former collegiate baseball player who said he once used smokeless tobacco, argued the law would remove a visible influence on young players and fans.

The ordinance would apply citywide to parks and recreation fields as well as AT&T Park, and would prohibit the use of smokeless tobacco products by players, coaches and spectators while on premises. Penalties and enforcement language mirror existing city tobacco and smoking laws; the ordinance's effective date was set for Jan. 1 of the following year to allow time for affected parties to prepare.

Supporters included public-health organizations and national groups. In debate, supervisors from across the board acknowledged the public-health rationale. Supervisor Eric Mar and others said the measure closes loopholes and addresses misconceptions that smokeless products are safer than cigarettes. "Nicotine is the main addictive ingredient ... considered as addictive as heroin or cocaine," Mar said, summarizing public-health testimony.

The ordinance was reported by committee as amended and advanced on first reading without objection.

Next steps: The measure passed first reading and will return for further readings and final consideration under the city's legislative process.