Nicotine Pouches in MLB: Baseball's Tobacco Rules 

Nicotine pouches in Major League Baseball (MLB) have become part of a wider conversation about baseball, smokeless tobacco, and nicotine product policies. This discussion follows years of league, state, and local efforts to reduce visible tobacco use in baseball settings. 

Baseball and tobacco have a long history. Smokeless tobacco use was closely associated with the image of players in dugouts and on the field. For many years, chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco products were part of baseball’s visible culture.

That began to change in the 1990s. Major League Baseball banned tobacco use in the minor leagues beginning in 1993. In 2011, MLB adopted additional restrictions on smokeless tobacco use and visibility during interviews, club appearances, and in front of fans. In 2016, a new Collective Bargaining Agreement banned all new players from using smokeless tobacco on the field during games. Since then, many state and local governments, as well as individual stadiums, have adopted tobacco-free policies that also apply to fans.  

MLB’s restrictions on smokeless tobacco followed broader public health and youth-exposure concerns. Smokeless tobacco products carry health risks, and former players’ experiences helped bring attention to the issue.  

Visible tobacco use by professional athletes also raised concerns because baseball has a large youth audience. League policies have therefore focused not only on player conduct, but also on reducing visible examples of tobacco use in settings where young fans may be watching. 

As restrictions on smokeless tobacco expanded, some players reportedly looked to other oral products. Media reports have described examples ranging from coffee grounds to nicotine pouches, depending on the player and context. 

Nicotine pouches are oral nicotine products that do not contain tobacco leaf and do not require spitting. They do contain nicotine, which is an addictive chemical.  

At the Major League level, the published player tobacco policy defines covered “Tobacco Products” to include smokeless tobacco, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes but does not expressly identify nicotine pouches. This does not mean nicotine pouches are permitted in every setting: local laws, stadium policies, or other team rules may also apply. 

Minor League Baseball takes a different approach. According to 2024 reporting by Front Office Sports, its broader tobacco policy prohibits nicotine pouches through language covering similar products.

Reports suggest that nicotine pouches are being discussed more frequently in MLB clubhouses. As that attention increases, so do questions about how these products fit within the league’s broader approach to tobacco and nicotine use. 

The discussion around nicotine pouches in the majors reportedly continued during the 2024 offseason. Minor League Baseball has already implemented restrictions, and further policy discussion may continue in professional baseball and other sports. 

Baseball has changed in many ways over time, including how the sport addresses tobacco use and visibility. Policies around nicotine products may also continue to evolve as leagues, players, regulators, and public health organizations respond to new products and new patterns of use. 

Future developments could include express language addressing nicotine pouches, additional visibility restrictions, or further local stadium rules. A new leaguewide player policy would likely require discussion between MLB and the MLB Players Association. 

For adults 21+ who already use nicotine and want factual information about oral nicotine product formats, our smokeless tobacco guide explains product categories and terminology.

The products sold on this site contain nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical that may increase heart rate and blood pressure and pose risks for individuals with certain medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease. These products are intended only for adult (21+) current nicotine users and are not for non-users. Sales to persons under 21 are prohibited.