If a player is found using smokeless tobacco but claims it is a legal product, what is the ruling?

The ruling that a player found using smokeless tobacco is ejected reflects the adherence to health and safety policies that many sports organizations, including those governed by NFHS, implement to promote a drug-free environment. Smokeless tobacco is typically prohibited in many high school sports settings because of its well-documented health risks and the organization's commitment to protecting the health of its athletes.

Even if the player argues that it is a legal product, the policy does not hinge on legality alone but rather on the health regulations set forth by the governing body. This means that regardless of the product's legal standing, the ruling reinforces the importance of maintaining a tobacco-free space during sporting events. Such consistency in enforcement of rules ensures that all players are held to the same standards, prioritizing the overall wellbeing of the team and its individual members over the legality of the substance in question.

The other options suggest responses that do not fully adhere to the strong stance many sports organizations take against tobacco use in sports, thereby undermining the preventive measures intended to protect athlete health.