Alderman Murphy proposes smokeless tobacco ban

Alderman Michael J. Murphy of the Milwaukee Common Council invites the public to attend the Public Safety Committee hearing on Thursday, November 10 at 9:00 a.m. in City Hall (200 E. Wells St.), room 301-B, regarding a smokeless tobacco ban at Miller Park and other sports venues.

“I welcome members of the public to attend our hearing this Thursday to discuss my proposed smokeless tobacco ban in Milwaukee,” said Alderman Murphy, who introduced the measure last week. “It’s time that we act on warnings from our public health experts and join other cities in this ban.”

This proposed ordinance would ban the use of smokeless tobacco at all sporting venues throughout the city. It would especially affect MLB players with fines up to $250 for using smokeless tobacco at Miller Park.

About the proposal, the Milwaukee Brewers said: “We fully support this initiative, and want to set an example for all Brewers fans in understanding the dangers of smokeless tobacco.”

Public health experts – including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Surgeon General, U.S. National Cancer Institute and World Health Organization – have all concluded that smokeless tobacco use is dangerous. Smokeless tobacco contains at least 28 known carcinogens and causes oral, pancreatic and esophageal cancer. The product also causes nicotine addiction and other serious health problems like gum disease, tooth decay and mouth lesions.

This proposed legislation follows a national trend. A number of other cities, including San Francisco, Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago have already banned smokeless tobacco at ballparks. A statewide law in California will take effect before the 2017 season, and once all of these laws are implemented, at least one-third of Major League stadiums will be tobacco-free.

What: Public Safety Committee hearing

When: Thursday, November 10, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Room 301-B, City Hall (200 E. Wells St.)

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.