Learning Objectives: Describe the longitudinal trends in smokeless tobacco use among professional baseball players.
Abstract: Beginning in 1998, we have conducted annual surveys of major league baseball players regarding their use of smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products. This presentation will include the results from the 2002 survey as well as longitudinal data on tobacco usage in this population. Surveys were sent to the head athletic trainer of each professional baseball club at the beginning of spring training. Athletic trainers were asked to distribute the survey to all minor league baseball players, with the option of surveying major league players as well. Surveys consisted of 27 items on tobacco use, readiness to quit, aids for quitting, helpfulness of educational activities, and the role of tobacco in professional baseball. This year’s survey is currently in progress, therefore specific results are not yet available; however, data from previous years have shown a decline in use of smokeless tobacco, from 35.7% in 1998 to 26.6% in 2001. We expect the 2002 tobacco usage data to show a continuation of this downward trend. Additional analyses of this year’s data will describe predictors of players’ readiness to quit smokeless tobacco, predictors of perceived tobacco addiction, and the relationship between participation in baseball and use of smokeless tobacco. Recognizing the trends in smokeless tobacco use among professional baseball players is important not only for understanding this specific population, but also because these players provide a role model for children. Baseball players’ use of smokeless tobacco can potentially affect the tobacco usage of young people all over the world.
Back to The Health Effects of Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use
Back to Evaluation and Surveillance
Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health