Bill Would Ban Chewing Tobacco at Baseball Parks

Anti-smoking advocates are hoping to strike out chewing tobacco at California baseball games.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids announced Tuesday that it will sponsor legislation to ban all tobacco products at baseball venues, including Major League Baseball and organized league games.

The issue was highlighted by the death last June of former San Diego Padres all-star Tony Gwynn, who believed his oral cancer was linked to longtime chewing tobacco use.

MLB says it supports banning smokeless tobacco and the spirit of the proposal.

Chewing tobacco rules are negotiated with the players' union, which previously agreed to ban carrying tobacco tins during games. A union spokesman says tobacco use is discouraged, but the union has no comment on the proposed legislation.

Assemblyman Tony Thurmond, a Richmond Democrat, will carry the bill.