Baseball players reject smokeless tobacco prohibition during ball games

[Bill Godshall]

Major League Baseball agreement with players unions allows continued use of smokeless tobacco during games, but bans use during media interviews and at other team functions.
MLB to "Limit" Use of Smokeless Tobacco

 

[sqirl1]

"Prominent players have agreed to go out there and talk," he said. "But maybe the message that's being sent by the combination of things here is a realistic one: When kids grow up they're going to have choices to make, just like players have choices."

sounds reasonable enough.

 

[Vocalek]

Out of curiosity I searched on "oral cancer among baseball players" to find out how true the statement is:

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says smokeless tobacco can cause cancer, oral health problems and nicotine addiction, and stresses it is not a safe alternative to smoking.

Which is probably what led to this statement:

"Our members understand that this is a dangerous product, there are serious risks associated with using it," union head Michael Weiner told The Associated Press.

Just how dangerous is this product?

ScienceDirect - Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology : Oral cancer in a tobacco-chewing US population?no apparent increased incidence or mortality

Results. The average annual incidence rates (per 100,000 population) for oral/pharyngeal cancer in West Virginia males and females were 13.4 and 5.1, respectively; these compared with rates of 15.4 and 5.7 for the US. The average annual mortality rates (per 100,000 population) for the disease in West Virginia males and females were 4.2 and 1.6, respectively; these compared with 4.4 and 1.5 for the US. West Virginia oral/pharyngeal mortality rates for both genders were statistically significantly lower than US rates throughout the years 1950 through 1980. Among other potential oral cancer etiologic factors, the very low prevalence of alcohol abuse in West Virginia seemed to be relevant.

Hmmm... Well is there other research showing a higher incidence in the oral cancer rates among smokeless users?

Well, how many men played professional baseball between the years of 1914 - 1997? Don't know that, but here is the list of baseball players that had head, neck, and throat cancers.

===============================================================

Babe Ruth (player from 1914 to 1935.)
Smoked
"nasopharyngeal carcinoma"

Brett Butler (player from 1981 to 1997)
Chewing tobacco
"Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils"

Bill Tuttle (player from 1952 to 1963)
Chewing tobacco
"Squamous cell buccal carcinoma"

Curt Flood from (player from 1956 to 1971)
Smoked
Throat Cancer

Main source:
Sports Figures

Notice that 3 of the 4 named players smoked.

Prof. Brad Rodu points out that Sweden which has a high prevalence of snus use has the lowest oral cancer rates in Europe.
For Smokers Only

So apart from anecdotal evidence (e.g. Rick Bender's loss of his jaw--who, by the way is missing from the list of baseball players from the Oral Cancer Foundation), where is the epidemiologic evidence that oral cancer rates are higher among smokeless tobacco users?

Lee summarized the evidence:

After smoking adjustment, snus is unassociated with cancer of the oropharynx (meta-analysis RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.68-1.37), oesophagus (1.10, 0.92-1.33), stomach (0.98, 0.82-1.17), pancreas (1.20, 0.66-2.20), lung (0.71, 0.66-0.76) or other sites, or with heart disease (1.01, 0.91-1.12) or stroke (1.05, 0.95-1.15).

Summary of the epidemiological evide... [Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI

And this very recent study points toward HPV as a marjor cause of oral cancer:

Abstract

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) has been smoked, chewed, and inhaled in various forms for hundreds of years. The primary oral, mucosal, and hard tissue changes associated with SLT use include SLT keratosis (STK); gingival inflammation, periodontal inflammation, and alveolar bone damage; and dental caries, tooth abrasion, and dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Some high-risk STKs are human papillomavirus associated, and the highest level of transition of STK to dysplasia or oral SCC appears to be in those lesions that have a diffuse velvety or papillary texture clinically. There is minimal risk for oral cancer associated with SLT use.

Oral manifestations of smokeless t... [Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2011] - PubMed - NCBI

And from 2005, we have this study:

CONCLUSIONS:

In contrast to the well-known deleterious effects of cigarette smoking, ST use did not substantially increase the risk for cancer incidence above that of non-tobacco users, particularly among males. Although the use of tobacco in any form is to be discouraged, our data suggests that cancer risks are much lower from ST use than from cigarette smoking.

Cancer incidence among a cohort of smo... [Cancer Causes Control. 2005] - PubMed - NCBI

 

[Bill Godshall]

Following is the e-mail (whose subject line said "Victory") that I received today from CTFK about the new MLB player's contract.


Bill--

I have some game-changing news to share with you.

Today, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the players’ union announced new restrictions on the use of tobacco products on and off the field, starting with the 2012 season. While this isn't everything we had hoped for, it is an important (and historic) step in the right direction.

In fact, today's announcement is the first time smokeless tobacco use has ever been addressed in professional baseball!

Let's take a look at what will be in the new 5-year contract (with my notes following in brackets):

1. Players can no longer bring tobacco products onto the field, in their pockets or on their person. [No more can in the back pocket. No more camera shots of players popping a wad in their mouth in the dugout. Helps remove some of the imagery that gives kids the impression that tobacco is cool and athletic.]

2. Players can longer use tobacco products during televised interviews, during autograph signings, or at any event where fans will be present. [While not perfect, this along with the 1st rule above will help to minimize young fans seeing their heroes using tobacco on TV and at events.]

3. Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) will partner with The Partnership at drugfree.org on a national public service announcement campaign that will feature notable players. [Education paired with role models - a win, win. Hopefully the other players will catch on and set the right example on the field.]

4. MLBPA will create a Tobacco Cessation Center for the players, providing resources and assistance to educate players and help them quit. Players will also now receive oral cancer screenings as part of their annual physicals. [We've always noted that this campaign is about both the players' health and the heath of their young fans. Making sure players have the support they need is critical.]

This is so much more than we had yesterday and none of it would have happened if not for the thousands of supporters behind the Knock Tobacco Out of the Park campaign. Let's hope that this is just the first step towards a complete and total prohibition on tobacco at games and on camera.

Please help us celebrate by thanking Commissioner Bud Selig and MLBPA Executive Director Michael Weiner. It took courage for Commissioner Selig to stand up for tobacco-free baseball on opening day this year and it took true leadership by Mr. Weiner to bring these new restrictions across home plate.

Thank you for your partnership on this historic campaign,



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[rothenbj]

So, if I get this right, they can still use it, but not carry it ON their person only in their mouth, correct? Also they can't load up in the dugout, supposedly, but all they need to do is walk through the door to the hall leading to the dressing rooms and load up there. OF course, as CTFK mentions, it's a first step like all those little steps have lead tobacco control to bans indoor and out, eviction from homes and refusal to hire. At least they haven't gotten to shoot on sight.

 

[sqirl1]

oh well, at least those baseball players are so rich they can afford a life time supply of nicorette lozenges, of course this means more money in BP's pockets, why I'll bet they'll be popping some pieces of nicorette gum in on camera and Nicorette will be one of MLB's major sponsors. F them.

 

[t9c]

The CTFK will be heading for the PRCA next. Losers.

 

[MattZuke]

So, if I get this right, they can still use it, but not carry it ON their person only in their mouth, correct?

Not to be rude or anything, but doesn't this open the back door to .... tobacco delivery?

Maybe Tobacco Free Kids should be made aware of this.

 

[NorthOfAtlanta]

Nicotine suppositories, that ought to be about as effective as the patch, just messier.

 

[MattZuke]

Nicotine suppositories, that ought to be about as effective as the patch, just messier.

Subcutaneous Nicotine Uptake Suppository

S.N.U.S.

 

[rothenbj]

Not to be rude or anything, but doesn't this open the back door to .... tobacco delivery?

Maybe Tobacco Free Kids should be made aware of this.

As a Penn State graduate, that's a sore subject these days, so to speak.

 

[Vocalek]

As a Penn State graduate, that's a sore subject these days, so to speak.

Oh, groan!