Letter to Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals Pitcher

Letter

February 15, 2011

Stephen Strasburg
c/o Sheryl Rampy
Washington Nationals
1500 South Capitol Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003

Dear Mr. Strasburg,

We read the Washington Post article in which you discussed your use of smokeless tobacco and commitment to quitting. We commend you for sharing your addiction to -- and your resolve to quit -- smokeless tobacco with your young fans and the American people.

Your story resonates with many Americans who, like you, started using smokeless tobacco as a way to emulate the major league baseball players they admired on television and at the baseball park. For many people, this innocent effort to imitate role models develops into a powerful addiction with severe health consequences, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, gum disease, and tooth decay.

While smoking among youth has declined dramatically in the last 10 years, there has been a 36 percent increase in smokeless tobacco use among high school boys. In 2009, the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey estimated that 15 percent of high school boys currently use smokeless tobacco products.

Your individual decision to quit smokeless tobacco, not only for your health, but to set a positive image for the young people who look up to you and watch baseball, is laudable. We want to encourage you to stick with it. Baseball fans will notice. Your example could prevent disease and disability and save a few lives.

We wish you every success in your efforts to quit and in your recovery from Tommy John surgery. We all look forward to seeing you back on the field.

Sincerely,

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