A turning point in Oklahoma's health

Publication Date: 2012-02-08

• Author:Opinion
• Publication:Norman Transcript

The governor’s announcement of a tobacco ban on any state-owned or leased properties may be a turning point in the state’s push for better health. We’re currently ranked 48th in the United Health Foundation rankings. We made some progress, but other states made more.

Gov. Fallin said the executive order banning tobacco use includes state parks, lodges and any state office building or vehicle and takes effect July 1.

Her announcement gives support to the push by state health officials to enact legislation giving local communities the authority to enact anti-tobacco rules that are more strict than the state law.

That legislation, HB 2267, sponsored by state Rep. Doug Cox, failed to make it out of committee for a vote this past year, but lawmakers expect a floor showdown...