Baseball Contract Limits Tobacco Use

WASHINGTON — Baseball's new labor deal will limit the use of smokeless tobacco by players, but not ban it during games, as some public health groups had sought.

A baseball union summary obtained by The Associated Press says that players have agreed not to carry tobacco cans in their back pockets or use tobacco during pregame or postgame interviews and at team functions.

Union head Michael Weiner tells The Associated Press that the players understand tobacco is a dangerous product and that they can influence behavior. But he said they did not think a full ban was appropriate.

Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said that while he would have preferred a ban at games and on camera, the restrictions represent "significant progress."