Results

Question 1

Oklahoma law protects kids from secondhand smoke in cars.

Myth Red CheckmarkMyth Red CheckmarkMYTH

Oklahoma state law STILL permits smoking inside a car with a child present. One more myth: opening the car windows is not an effective way to vent toxic secondhand smoke. Thanks to a lack of common-sense policy, our kids continue to ride in smoke-filled vehicles.

Question 2

Oklahoma cities cannot pass tobacco laws that are more protective than state laws.

Fact Blue CheckmarkFact Blue CheckmarkFACT

“Preemption” is a legal strategy that prevents local-level municipalities from writing tobacco policy that is more stringent than state law. Oklahoma is one of the only states with tobacco preemption in place. This is a result of Big Tobacco manipulating state law.

Question 3

Thousands of Oklahomans are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in the workplace.

Fact Blue CheckmarkFact Blue CheckmarkFACT

How could this be? A major contributor is the fact that Oklahoma law still permits smoking inside bars and restaurants — along with hotels. This means patrons and employees are exposed to secondhand smoke.

Question 4

Businesses will lose money if they go smokefree.

Myth Red CheckmarkMyth Red CheckmarkMYTH

Numerous careful scientific and economic analyses show that smokefree laws do not hurt restaurant and bar patronage, employment, sales, or profits. A 2010 analysis of economic outcomes of smokefree laws stated, “[T]here is clear evidence that smokefree legislation does not hurt restaurant or bar businesses, and in some cases business may improve.”Business owners can expect lower maintenance costs, reduced absenteeism and lower health care costs as a result of going smokefree.

Question 5

4 out of 5 kids who have used tobacco started with a flavored product.

Fact Blue CheckmarkFact Blue CheckmarkFACT

Big Tobacco has spent decades targeting kids and minority groups with specially formulated flavors. The effect of flavored tobacco has been devastating. From luring African Americans with menthol to targeting our kids with wild e-cigarette flavors, Big Tobacco continues to cash in.

Question 6

Secondhand smoke can hurt children’s lung growth and permanently damage lung function.

Fact Blue CheckmarkFact Blue CheckmarkFACT

Here are the facts: Secondhand smoke contains 7,000 chemicals, 250 of which are harmful and 70 of which cause cancer. In fact, secondhand smokes is classified as a Class A carcinogen. Since 1964, an estimated 2.5 million non-smokers have died as a result from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand vape aerosol consists of a high concentration of ultrafine particles. Exposure to secondhand vape aerosol can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

One More Fact

For decades, Oklahoma law has favored Big Tobacco, resulting in countless deaths, untold suffering and billions spent in health care costs. The fact is, every Oklahoman, regardless of age, has the right to breathe clean air — whether it’s indoors or out. The good news? Oklahoma can look to other states for proof that common-sense tobacco policy works.

There’s more good news. The fight against Big Tobacco is growing! Your voice — and the voices of thousands of others — are critical to helping us achieve a better state of health. Subscribe to the Tobacco Stops With Me newsletter today.

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