The bid, after 2014 elections, would allow cities to be tougher on public smoking than state law.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin will wait until after the 2014 elections to lead an initiative petition drive to let voters decide whether to crack down on smoking in public places.
Fallin said in February that she would lead efforts to get the measure on the ballot after a Senate committee voted against Senate Bill 36.
The measure would have let cities and towns pass ordinances that are stricter than state law governing tobacco use.
Critics of the measure said it would create a geographic quilt of areas with varying rules on smoking, giving some businesses an advantage over others.
Fallin said in February that she was disappointed in the measure’s failure.
“Now, the tobacco interests may have won the battle yesterday, but they didn’t win the war,” Fallin said then while announcing the initiative petition effort.
Supporters had hoped to get it on the ballot in 2014, but little new information had been released since Fallin’s February announcement.
“The best way to pursue policy changes that reduce smoking rates and exposure to second-hand smoke is through an initiative petition and statewide ballot question,” Fallin said last week. “I believe waiting to begin that effort until after the 2014 elections gives it the best chance for success.
“Make no mistake, though: Oklahomans will have the opportunity to vote on a smoking-reduction initiative. When that day comes, I will lend my full support to the effort to reduce smoking in public and protect people from second-hand smoke.”
Both of Fallin’s late parents smoked.
Fallin is seeking a second term.
“Scheduling the petition drive and ballot initiative after the election will help to ensure it is successful, avoid confusing voters with overlapping campaigns, and prevent legal and ethical conflicts,” said Alex Weintz, a Fallin spokesman.
Donors and supporters of the smoking-reduction effort can be confident that the decisions regarding the ballot initiative are not being influenced by the governor’s re-election campaign, Weintz said.
The specific wording of the petition has not been determined.
Dr. Robert McCaffree, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said several public-health groups have volunteered to collect the signatures.
In April, Fallin signed SB 501, which bans smoking in all buildings and other properties owned and operated by the state.
The law also will let cities and counties ban smoking on properties they own or operate.
In August, the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced that the state now ranks 12th-worst among the states for adult smoking, an improvement from its fourth-worst ranking the prior year.
McCaffree said a number of factors — including an increase in taxes for cigarettes, an advertising campaign and a greater emphasis on overall health — contributed to the improvement.
He said he has not seen figures regarding whether increases in some health insurance premiums for smokers have contributed to the reduction.
“I certainly support the fact that they do have some type of penalty, if you will, for smoking,” McCaffree said.
He said he tells his patients that he cannot recommend electronic cigarettes or vaporizers as a means of smoking cessation because more study on them is needed.
Oklahoma has a free hot line to help smokers quit. The number is 800-784-8669. The service provides coaching and nicotine-replacement products.
Originally written By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
