This is Not OK.

Smoking is still allowed inside many Oklahoma businesses, endangering the health of employees and patrons. The risks are deadly. Secondhand smoke kills nearly 50,000 nonsmokers each year.

Secondhand smoke contains 70 cancer-causing chemicals. When you smoke with children in the car, they breathe every one of them. As it stands, Oklahoma kids are NOT protected from secondhand smoke inside vehicles.

Big Tobacco has always targeted the next generation with kid-friendly flavors. In fact, 4 out of 5 kids who have used tobacco started with a flavored product. Let’s protect our youth.

In stores and online, it’s way too easy for kids to buy tobacco products. During compliance checks in 2018, 83 stores were cited for violating laws to prevent kids from illegally buying tobacco – but no licenses were suspended.

Preemption is a legal strategy that limits the power of local communities. It prevents cities and towns from adopting laws that are stricter than state law. This leaves local communities exposed to the sinister influence of Big Tobacco — and Big Vape.

When cigarette prices rise, tens of thousands of people quit smoking — and countless children never start. The higher the price, the more lives are saved. Plus, higher prices mean saving millions in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

Oklahoma has employment protections for workers who smoke. The issue? They’re never incentivized to quit, and it’s hurting Oklahoma businesses. As it stands, smoking costs the state $2.1 billion per year in productivity losses.