Anti-smoking measure may progress in Oklahoma House

Oklahoma and Tennessee are the only states to prohibit communities from adopting tobacco ordinances that are stronger than state law, speakers said.

“In the past we have not exercised that political courage to return that local right,” state Health Commissioner Terry Cline said.

The Blue Room at the Capitol was filled with cancer groups and members of other health groups who frequently applauded speakers lauding the bill.

“Over 6,000 Oklahomans every single year are dying of tobacco-related illnesses,” Cline said. “Part of that tragedy is these deaths are preventable.”

He said if the bill becomes law, it would allow officials elected locally to determine the best ways to cut tobacco use in their communities. Tobacco lobbyists worked in the late 1980s and early 1990s to get clauses placed in the state tobacco laws that prevented them from doing that, Cline said.