Detroit Bans Smokeless Tobacco at All Sports Venues

Detroit's City Council passed a strict new rule Tuesday. With a 7-2 vote, they banned all smokeless tobacco and nicotine items at city sports sites. The change affects Ford Field, Comerica Park, and Little Caesars Arena.

The strict rules hit everyone - from fans in seats to players on fields. No more chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, or Zyn pouches. Since the vote passed with strong support, the ban starts now.

"I thought it was interesting, like, wow, we're smoke-free stadiums here in the city of Detroit. But folks still chew tobacco," said Councilman Fred Durhal III, according to Detroit Free Press.

Break the rules once? You'll get warned. Do it again and pay $100. Keep it up and fines jump to $500. The ban covers every spot inside - from seats and snack stands to locker rooms and playing fields. Even bathrooms and halls fall under the new law.

Why the change? Kids copy what they see. Durhal met with "Knock Tobacco Out of the Park" groups who showed how teen athletes start chewing after watching pros do it.

"Our kids are watching and we want them to have healthy outcomes," Durhal said. "There doesn't need to be an umpire at the PAL chewing tobacco and spitting with kids watching."

Not all agreed with the ban. "If I'm an adult, I'm a grown-up, and I make a personal decision to be able to engage in chewing tobacco, by myself in the corner, or wherever I'm at, and I'm watching this game and I want to be able to eat the Big Chew, or whatever it's called, I should be able to do that," said Councilman Coleman Young II, according to WXYZ.

Council member Santiago-Romero voted no too. She thinks there are already rules against tobacco use.

Detroit joins a group of 17 cities with such bans. MLB blocked new players from using tobacco back in 2016. This pushed many to try other options like nicotine pouches.

"This ordinance should apply to Joe Smith as much as it does to Spencer Torkelson or Tarik Skubal," said Detroit Attorney Graham Anderson per Bridge Detroit.