Transcript: Mayor Bill de Blasio Appears on ESPN to Discuss Smokeless Tobacco Ban

March 27, 2016

Bob Ley: While it is unknown of how local law enforcement will actually deal with baseball players who seem to dip or chew, the prospect of such players being disciplined by baseball has been raised. One union official told Outside the Lines, “MLB would have a fight on their hands if they attempt to discipline players under the just cause provision.” With that lets now turn to Hizzoner, Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City. The New York City Council recently passing a bill outlawing smokeless tobacco at ticketed sporting events in the five boroughs. That vote was 44 to three.

And, Mr. Mayor – you have yet to sign it. When will you sign it? When will this be the law of the five boroughs?

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Well Bob, I am definitely going to sign this bill in the next week or two and it’s very important for the health of our players and for our city as a whole. You know, young people look up to baseball players and they look up to all athletes and we want to protect everyone’s health. So, this is something we believe in. Tobacco products of all kinds are fundamentally dangerous, so I look forward to signing this legislation and it taking full effect in the course of this season. And, seeing our players be healthier, you know, going forward.

Ley: All right, the question obviously, how will this be, actually, day-to-day enforced?

Mayor: Well look, we obviously want education to be the most important part of this. A message to ball players and to athletes at all of our professional sports venues and by the way, this will apply to college sports venues as well. That – it’s time to move away from smokeless tobacco. We obviously hope people do that voluntarily. You know other cities have already taken this action – Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, have done a ban or are doing one. This is the way of the future I believe. So obviously – the whole thing will be voluntary but, later on in the season when law takes full effect and all the signs are posted in the stadiums and warnings are given, if players don’t relent, we will issue fines. And, look obviously, given the money they make the fines may not be a big deal unto themselves, but it will show that we’re serious and it’s just a wake up call. And, I bet a lot of the players’ families would agree – smokeless tobacco – you saw what happened to Tony Gwynn – one of the great players in recent decades. We lost him very young.

You know this is just not good for the players and we don’t want young people seeing the players they look up to engaging in something that’s bad for their bodies. We don’t want young people thinking that’s cool to do. So, I think education is going to have a big impact. Enforcement will be there but I think it’s much more about education and people seeing and players seeing this happening all over the country. This is becoming a consensus.

Ley: Baseball has said to this point – keep it out of sight, it’s been pretty much out of sight, you’ve seen the arguments: “There’s no smoke here.”  “I’m not bothering the guy next to me.”  “It’s legal.”  “It’s my personal choice.” And, “if no one can see me consuming it, why are you intruding here?”

Mayor: Look, it’s well known that a lot of players still use smokeless tobacco. So, there’s still the problem of them being role models. It’s not good for their health and we are trying to protect the public’s health – anyone in our city’s health. That’s why we have a smoking ban in so many public places indoor and outdoor in our city. So, it’s just an extension of that same logic. By the way, you know, putting the smoking ban into effect here – the cigarette smoking ban has had a huge positive effect on health.

Ley: mm-hmm

Mayor: It’s discouraged people from smoking cigarettes, it’s obviously reduced second-hand smoke, so it’s part of a bigger set of efforts. We intend to put in even more measures to reduce the use of all types of tobacco. We are putting in another package of measures in the coming weeks. This is part of a bigger trend and it’s a good trend. People are recognizing that for decades and decades their health was compromised and their loved ones’ health was compromised. And it’s time to make a change. So look, I think the message to the players is, maybe it’s something they’re used to, maybe it’s something they came up with, but it doesn’t mean it’s good for them. And as we have said – Tony Gwynn – you know we lost a good man early. That should be a reminder to all players that –

Ley: Change is coming around the sport, exactly. Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City, thank you sir for your time. We appreciate it. 

Mayor: You’re very welcome Bob. You take care.