This following editorial appeared Monday in the Tri-City Herald.

We tip our Stetsons to Pendleton officials for stopping the time-honored tradition of allowing free samples of chewing tobacco to be distributed at the rodeo.

This move wasn’t popular with all the cowboys and no doubt cost the annual Round-Up a pretty penny in sponsorship money from the smokeless tobacco companies. But taking a stand isn’t always popular or cost effective. And some things are more valuable than money – like good health.

According to the Associated Press, health officials have singled out chew as one of the top health threats in rural counties. Nine percent of men in Oregon’s rural counties reported chewing tobacco in a recent state survey – more than double the number in urban centers such as Portland.

Pendleton officials cited their concern about the tobacco ending up in the hands of minors as the reason for the change, despite security measures designed to keep those under 18 out of the smokeless tobacco tent.

Statewide, 13,000 children under 18 said they chewed, and in a survey of eighth-graders, 4 percent of boys said they had tried it at least once, the AP reported.

Not too long ago, nearly every Major League Baseball player could be seen with a jaw full of snuff, spitting in the dugout or on the field. Youngsters who wanted to emulate them often took up the habit. Thankfully, that image has changed.

Maybe it’s time for the rough-stock riders to follow suit.

Willie Nelson admonished, “Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys.” We have no objection to babies growing up to be cowboys. We also have no objection to adults choosing to chew tobacco.

We worry, however, about impressionable children being introduced to the habit and commend the Round-Up for taking a step toward changing the trend.