As “Big Government” minded busy bodies are dictating what our kids should be putting in their mouth at mealtime, the California state assembly, by passing a bill to ban smokeless tobacco, are now mandating what adults can’t put in their mouths.
Assembly bill 768, which barely passed on Thursday, mandates Major-League Baseball players need to spit out their chewing tobacco before playing in California.
According to some lawmakers, the new bill will discourage children from picking up the habit, which has been linked to health hazards, including cancer.
“We recognize that young people are impacted by what the players on the field do,” said Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, D-Richmond who sponsored the legislation. “This bill seeks to ensure that young people do not see their heroes using smokeless tobacco.”
Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, who heads the committee overseeing tobacco products, praised Thurmond for his efforts. “The author has worked diligently to focus the attention on protecting our children,” he said.
The Times reported that the final vote was 42-25, with mostly Republicans voting no and many Democrats not voting.
Breitbart News reported in April that San Francisco city officials voted unanimously to prohibit the use of smokeless tobacco at athletic venues, specifically identifying baseball as a major culprit.