Cities Look For Tougher Anti-Smoking Ordinances

Publication Date: 2011-02-22

• Author:AP
• Publication:www.koco.com

Current Law Excludes Bars, Some Restaurants

Health and business leaders are pushing for a bill that would give cities and towns the ability to impose anti-smoking ordinances that are tougher than current state law.

State and local Chamber of Commerce officials and Oklahoma Commissioner of Health Terry Cline will hold a press conference at the state Capitol on Tuesday to endorse the bill by House Speaker Kris Steele.

Under current state law, cities and towns in Oklahoma are prohibited from adopting tobacco ordinances that are stricter than state law. Smoking is now banned in most indoor places to which the public has access, but there are numerous exceptions, including bars and some restaurants.

A tobacco company spokesman said Oklahoma's current statewide ban appears to be working and sees no need to eliminate the pre-emption language.