Section 118916 Of Article 1.5. Smokeless Tobacco In Professional Baseball From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 104. >> Part 15. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 1.5.
118916
. (a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the use of
smokeless tobacco products by professional baseball players is a
matter of statewide interest and concern. It is the intent of the
Legislature in enacting this section to prohibit the use of smokeless
tobacco products by professional baseball players in stadiums in
this state.
(2) The Legislature further finds that there is a high level of
smokeless tobacco use by Major League Baseball players, as well as a
well-established role-model effect between professional baseball
players and youth. A ban on the use of smokeless tobacco in
professional baseball takes aim at the use of smokeless tobacco by
professional baseball players at stadiums throughout California with
the goal that impressionable youth never begin to use smokeless
tobacco products or associate smokeless tobacco with the sport of
baseball.
(3) To promote a healthy and active lifestyle and to set a better
example for youth, the Legislature urges Major League Baseball and
the Major League Baseball Players Association to adopt a nationwide
ban on the use of smokeless tobacco by players, managers, and coaches
in public stadiums. Since 1993, minor league baseball has prohibited
the use or possession of smokeless tobacco by players, coaches, and
umpires on ballpark premises and during club travel.
(b) A person shall not use or possess a smokeless tobacco product
at any time on the playing field of a baseball stadium.
(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall
apply:
(1) "Baseball stadium" means the physical area in which a
professional baseball game or practice is occurring.
(2) "Playing field" means the area in which a baseball game is
played, including a dugout, bullpen, and team bench area.
(3) "Professional baseball" means baseball games played in
connection with Major League Baseball or minor league baseball.
(4) "Smokeless tobacco" means a product that contains cut, ground,
powdered, or leaf tobacco and is intended to be placed in the oral
or nasal cavity, including, but not limited to, snuff, chewing
tobacco, dipping tobacco, dissolvable tobacco products, and snus.
(d) This section sets forth minimum state restrictions on the use
or possession of smokeless tobacco in a baseball stadium and does not
preempt or otherwise prohibit the adoption of a local ordinance that
imposes a more restrictive or complete ban on smokeless tobacco use
and possession in a baseball stadium. A local ordinance that imposes
a more restrictive or complete ban on smokeless tobacco use or
possession in a baseball stadium shall control in the event of an
inconsistency between this section and the local ordinance.
(e) The provisions of this section are severable. If any provision
of this section or its application is held invalid, that invalidity
shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given
effect without the invalid provision or application.
(f) This section shall become operative on December 1, 2016.