The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo:

One new law almost certain to cause comment is a statute prohibiting smoking at all youth sports events. It may have been forbidden at specific venues already, but the new law applies statewide in all settings, indoor and outdoor, public, private, school-related and in municipal/county recreational and competitive leagues.

The law prohibits smoking within 100 feet where people under age 18 are participating in athletic events.

The bill spells out penalties; a first offense will result in a warning while a second violation would result in a $75 fine. Fines for ensuing violations are not to exceed $150. Groups in charge can take action to remove violators.

Roy Hart, director of the Office of Tobacco Control at the Mississippi State Department of Health, said the legislation is “a step in the right direction.”

The next step should ban all smokeless tobacco from the same youth events.

Senate Public Health Committee Chair Hob Bryan, the primary author, agrees.

Bryan has said not enough legislators would back the legislation. Maybe additional healthy public persuasion can change enough nicotine-addicted minds.