Bye bye Zyn.
A significant change is coming in Detroit for sports fans. On Tuesday, October 21, the Detroit City Council voted 7-2 to prohibit the use of nicotine products at sports stadiums. The Detroit Free Press reports that this new ban is in support of health efforts and to promote health and safety among fans, residents, and more. The ordinance not only bans the use of tobacco products in stadiums but also in any area surrounding the sporting venue, including bathrooms, pedestrian walkways, dining spaces, spectator seating areas, training rooms, playing fields, locker rooms, and vendor areas.
However, it’s not just the fans that are suffering from this new ban. This also applies to coaches, players, and all other team staff.
While I am sure that some of you might be reading this and thinking, “Oh, I’m good. I don’t vape.” Or you think you’ll be able to hide your zyns in your back pocket to get in. Think again… this also extends to all smokeless tobacco products, such as snuff, snus, chewing tobacco, moist snuff, and any other tobacco intended for use or consumption by any means.
Comerica Park, Ford Field, and Little Caesars Arena had already banned smoking and vaping, but now this also includes Zyn and other smokeless products.
Councilman Fred Durhal III, who led the proposal, said he supported this cause after seeing high schoolers who believed chewing tobacco was part of playing baseball. As a supporter of the ordinance, he believed that we all need to be setting an example for the younger generations, on and off the field.
“I thought it was interesting, like, wow, we’re smoke-free stadiums here in the city of Detroit. But folks still chew tobacco.
Most stadiums and arenas around the country already banned it, but it’s not codified. There’s no penalties that exists with it. We wanted to work with this ordinance to do things bigger cities are doing around the country, to push for healthier outcomes.”
However, not all council members supported this, leading to 2 opposing votes from council members Gabriela Santiago-Romero and Coleman Young II. Per M Live, Young shared that young adults should be able to make their own health choices, and as long as smoking tobacco products is not being used in these spaces, they are not harming the health of others. Products like Zyn do not have a secondhand effect on those around them.
Durhal also acknowledged that his ordinance will not stop people from using smokeless tobacco or other tobacco products, but reiterated the importance of being a role model for children.
“This is not going to prevent folks in their homes or cars from stopping chewing tobacco. But in public places with children’s eyes on them, we want to ensure you’ll participate in healthy behaviors in the city of Detroit.”
If the Detroit Mayor, Mike Duggan, approves or ignores this ordinance, it will take immediate effect and become effective upon publication, in accordance with Section 4-118 of the 2012 Detroit City Charter. Those who do not comply in the sporting venues could face a misdemeanor charge, a $100 fine, and will be asked to leave the premises. Repeat offenders risk facing a fine of up to $500.
While I think folks should be worried about bigger issues, I understand the role-model aspect of this ordinance. However, do people really pay that much attention to when folks are putting in a Zyn or similar product? I don’t even realize my boyfriend has one in when he does, and if tobacco products that cause secondhand harm are already banned from spaces like this, can’t we let the Zyners live?
And it applies to players and coaches? Lions coach Dan Campbell certainly won’t be happy…
Granted, it’s already banned on the sideline, but it’s pretty common for players, coaches and staff to sneak a Zyn when the cameras aren’t looking. Same goes for Major League Baseball, but once again, enforcement isn’t exactly easy. The truth is, many stadiums around the country already ban all tobacco products, but that certainly doesn’t stop a lot of fans from dipping in their seats.
Nevertheless, the internet had some strong thoughts on this proposal… check out the commentary:
