100% Clean Indoor Air

Striving for a fresh, smoke-free Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, exposure to secondhand smoke continues to be a serious health problem. One significant reason is that Oklahoma does not have a comprehensive smoke-free policy.

Right now, it’s still legal to smoke in Oklahoma hotels, bars and even in-home daycares when children aren’t present.

Unfortunately, we’re one of the only states without ANY 100% smoke-free policies protecting people in these environments.¹

The simplest, cheapest and most effective way to protect people from secondhand smoke is through 100% clean indoor air policies.

Bars

Bar employees are exposed to dangerous levels of secondhand smoke during every shift, which means these workers these workers face significantly higher risks of lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses compared to workers in smoke-free environments.

Hotels

Hotel staff regularly encounter secondhand smoke when cleaning and maintaining smoking rooms. These employees deserve the same health protections as workers in other industries, especially since smoke lingers long after check out.

In-Home Daycares

Even when smoking occurs only when children aren’t present, harmful smoke residue settles on surfaces, toys and furniture. Infants and toddlers who touch these surfaces and put their hands in their mouths are exposed to cancer-causing chemicals that can affect their developing bodies.

The Health Impact

Secondhand smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals, including 70 known to cause cancer. It also puts employees at elevated deadly risks of heart disease, respiratory diseases and countless other illnesses. At bars and clubs, where numerous people are smoking in the same vicinity, these contaminants amplify, making for an even more toxic environment.

A healthier environment means a healthier workforce and reduced health care costs. Smoking costs Oklahoma businesses $5,816 per smoker per year.

Economic Benefits

Some business owners may fear lost income from becoming smoke free. However, using sales tax data and other objective criteria, numerous studies have found no adverse effects from going smoke free. There has even been a tendency for smoke-free mandates to increase business.

Plus, a healthier environment means a healthier workforce — with reduced absenteeism and health care costs.

Proof It Works

Other states that have enacted 100% clean indoor air policies have seen these health and economic benefits firsthand.

In Washington state, two years after a comprehensive state smoke-free law took effect, an analysis of statewide retail sales data found that sales revenues for smoke-free bars and taverns were $105.5 million higher than expected. ²

In Oklahoma, 74% of people favor a law making all public places smoke free in 2025.³

In 2010, North Carolina passed a smoke-free restaurants and bars law. During the first year after the law was implemented, the average number of weekly emergency room visits for heart attacks dropped 21%. ⁴

Ready for Clean Indoor Air?

Take action to clear the air in your community with these tips, downloads and resources. You can make a difference.