Major League Baseball (MLB) has long been known as a sport that has had a long and complex relationship with chewing tobacco. Although the use of chewing tobacco has decreased in recent years, it remains a controversial topic in the MLB. This article will explore how many MLB players currently chew tobacco and the effects of this habit on the players and their health.
Background of Chewing Tobacco
Chewing tobacco has been a part of the MLB for decades. The habit dates back to the late 1800s, when it was seen as an effective way to keep players alert and focused during long games. Chewing tobacco was also seen as a way to show toughness on the field, and many players used it to gain an edge on the competition.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the use of chewing tobacco by MLB players became more widespread. In the 1980s and 1990s, the use of chewing tobacco became even more popular and was seen as a way for players to relax and bond with their teammates.
Although the use of chewing tobacco has decreased in recent years, it still remains a popular habit among MLB players. A 2018 survey of MLB players found that 14 percent of them currently use chewing tobacco.
Health Implications of Chewing Tobacco
Chewing tobacco is known to be a dangerous habit, as it can cause numerous health problems. The most common health risks associated with chewing tobacco include an increased risk of oral cancer, gum disease, and other mouth-related diseases. Chewing tobacco can also lead to nicotine addiction and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
The health risks associated with chewing tobacco have led MLB to take steps to reduce the habit among its players. In 1993, MLB signed an agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association to ban the use of chewing tobacco during games. MLB also created an anti-tobacco policy in 2011, which banned the use of all forms of tobacco during games and requires players to use smokeless tobacco in a designated area away from the field.
MLB’s Efforts to Reduce Chewing Tobacco
In recent years, MLB has increased its efforts to reduce the use of chewing tobacco among its players. The league has implemented a number of initiatives to discourage players from chewing tobacco, including educational programs and a ban on advertising of chewing tobacco products at MLB stadiums.
MLB has also implemented a number of restrictions to limit the use of chewing tobacco. These restrictions include a ban on players carrying tobacco products onto the field, a ban on players using tobacco products during interviews, and a ban on players using tobacco products in the dugout.
The Future of Chewing Tobacco in MLB
Despite MLB’s efforts to reduce the use of chewing tobacco, the habit remains a controversial topic among its players. However, it appears that the use of chewing tobacco is on the decline in MLB, as the number of players using it has decreased significantly in recent years.
It is clear that MLB is committed to reducing the use of chewing tobacco among its players. The league has implemented a number of initiatives to discourage players from using chewing tobacco and has taken steps to limit its use. While the use of chewing tobacco is still prevalent in MLB, it appears that the trend is slowly declining.
Conclusion
Chewing tobacco has been a part of MLB for decades and is still used by some of its players. Although MLB has taken steps to reduce the use of chewing tobacco among its players, the habit remains a controversial topic. According to a 2018 survey of MLB players, 14 percent of them currently use chewing tobacco. MLB has implemented a number of initiatives to discourage the use of chewing tobacco and has taken steps to limit its use. While the use of chewing tobacco is still prevalent in MLB, it appears that the trend is slowly declining.