Council approves ban on smokeless tobacco and alternative nicotine products at Detroit stadiums

The Detroit City Council voted to approve an ordinance prohibiting the use of smokeless tobacco, alternative nicotine products and other tobacco products at stadiums and sports arenas in Detroit.

Councilmember Durhall, who sponsored the ordinance, said the measure is intended to protect young people from seeing athletes and public figures model tobacco use. "Chewing tobacco is one of the leading causes of oral cancer," Durhall said, describing conversations with local youth and organized baseball groups that supported restricting tobacco at venues where children attend.

Councilmember Coleman Young II expressed reservations about criminalizing adult behavior in public venues and raised concerns about fines, but the law department told councilmembers that enforcement would begin with warnings and that the ordinance mirrors policies already enforced at many Major League Baseball parks. Attorney Anderson (Law Department) noted that similar rules exist in over half of MLB ballparks and that the city would follow warning‑first enforcement practice before fines.

After debate, council moved the ordinance to third reading and passed it by roll call. The clerk announced the motion passed with the votes recorded on the roll. The ordinance now becomes city law and will be enforced at stadiums and sports arenas in Detroit, with the council asking city departments and venue operators to coordinate on communications and enforcement plans.