Can the Major League Snuff Out Its Smokeless Tobacco Habit?: "I made it through the whole game without dip, so that was a bigger victory than beating the Braves." -- Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond on Sunday. A presentation to the Smokeless Tobacco Summit describes the long history of its use in baseball and the health consequences. The first restrictions on smokeless tobacco were put in Major League Baseball two seasons ago, but it's still permitted for players to do it during games. The use of chewing tobacco among high school boys has been rising since 2003, up to 15 percent.