Senators Urge MLB to Ban Tobacco Use

Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), right, and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) sent a letter to commissioner Bud Selig and MLB Players Union head Michael Weiner urging them to ban the use of smokeless tobacco in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement.

MLB has come under growing scrutiny over the past year for allowing its players to use smokeless tobacco, which presents a health risk and also may encourage use among kids.

"The use of smokeless tobacco by baseball players undermines the positive image of the sport and sends a dangerous message to young fans, who may be influenced by the players they look up to as role models," wrote Lautenberg and Durbin.

Last year the House Energy and Commerce Committe convened a hearing to explore a potential ban on smokeless tobacco in the majors. Also, a consortium of 10 heath agencies wrote a letter to Selig and Weiner pushing for a ban in November.

Baseball had banned the use of smokeless tobacco, commonly called "dip" in the minor leagues, but any similar action in the majors would require approval by the union. The current CBA expires in December.

When FanHouse looked into the issue last year, there was some sentiment among players to go along with a ban, but others were vehemently opposed. They estimated that about one-third of major leaguers use dip.