Oklahoma health leaders look to pass community-controlled smoking bill

BY JACLYN COSGROVE NewsOK.com
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
12/12/12 at 4:27 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY - During the state's next legislative cycle, Oklahoma health leaders will try yet again to pass a bill that would allow communities to pass their own smoking ordinances.

Health Commissioner Terry Cline said at Tuesday's state Board of Health meeting that this bill would help bring about important change for Oklahoma residents.

"More people die from heart disease related to tobacco than from all forms of cancer combined caused by tobacco, and most people don't realize that," he said.

State law prohibits municipalities from having smoking laws stricter than state law. Oklahoma and Tennessee have the strictest laws in the nation limiting what cities can do regarding smoking ordinances, according to the state Health Department.

Original Print Headline: Anti-smoking effort fired up again

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