HB2267 Restore Local Rights 2012

RESTORE LOCAL RIGHTS FOR OKLAHOMA CITIES

Allow cities the right to decide to have smoke-free public places to compete for new business and jobs, to reduce health care costs and tax burden, and to protect their citizens from secondhand smoke.

• HB 2267 does NOT allow cities to regulate where or how tobacco is marketed, sold, or taxed.
  
  
• HB 2267 does NOT make businesses smoke-free, it only lets cities and their citizens discuss what they want for their city.

HB 2267 WILL allow cities the opportunity to compete for new businesses with a healthier workforce.

• Cities in Oklahoma are competing with cities in other states for new businesses and jobs.
• Smoking costs Oklahoma businesses over $1.73 Billion each year for health related illness and lost productivity. (Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids - www.tobaccofreekids.org)

HB 2267 WILL allow cities to decide if they want to reduce health care costs for Oklahomans.

• Oklahoma pays $1.16 Billion in support of health care for tobacco related illnesses.  (Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids- www.tobaccofreekids.org)
• Every Oklahoma household pays $553 in state and federal taxes due to smoking related illnesses.  (Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids – www.tobaccofreekids.org)
• Reducing tobacco use among workers:

-       generates financial returns from reduced health care costs;

-       increases on-the-job productivity;

-       reduces life and health insurance costs;

-       creates a healthier workforce which helps Oklahoma compete for business.

HB 2267 WILL allow cities the opportunity to protect their citizens from secondhand smoke.

·          There is no safe level of secondhand smoke.  (Surgeon General’s Report 2006)

·          Ventilation doesn’t work.  [American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); OU Indoor Air Quality Report; American Cancer Society]

Hey, those of you who love to listen to music in an always smoke free, intimate environment should check out http://houseconcertsunlimited.com  Many concerts are held in our own home, larger ones head to the legendary Church Studio, former Tractors and Leon Russel studio.

Smoke free music venues

We have been enjoying several music venues lately that are smoke free.  Fassler Hall,  in downtown Tulsa and the legendary ( and legendary for both music and smoke ) Colony on Harvard.  What a pleasure to be able to listen without burning eyes, smelly clothes and for my husband, NO HEADACHE  !  Thanks for caring about your employees, patrons and musicians!   Kudos!

Recent letter to the editor

Letter to the editor: Clear the air



By Margaret Aycock, Tulsa

Published: 2/28/2010 5:21 AM

Last Modified: 2/28/2010 5:21 AM



The danger from breathing second-hand smoke is such common knowledge that most elementary children are aware of it. Are we not smarter than a fifth-grader?



The Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center recently completed a study that shows the air in our bars and clubs is "extremely hazardous and far exceeds Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards." Must we wait until complaints are called into the EPA and entire businesses are closed before our legislators mandate clean air in all workplaces?



It is troubling to me that the tobacco lobby and restaurant association lobby have more sway with legislators than health organizations that are begging for smoke-free legislation. Legislators tell me that some restaurants and bar owners who spent money to install separate smoking rooms and ventilation feel that it is an unfair burden on them. Are our legislators worried about looking bad? "Oops, we were wrong about those smoking rooms being a good idea."



Smoking must be discontinued in the workplace even though someone invested in ventilation or a new room. Remember, they still get to keep the rooms, and new studies show that ventilation is just not good enough to clear the air of carcinogens.



As far as having a negative impact on business is concerned, the figures prove otherwise in states and countries where similar laws were enacted.



We need legislation that will protect both workers and patrons and we need it now.

Feel free to go to tulsaworld.com and type in margaret aycock, follow the thread to this letter and post your own comments to the world

Smoke free on Face Book

Check out and become a member of Musicians for Smoke Free Oklahoma on facebook
You may have to type in smoke free oklahoma to get there as I can't seem to figure out how to cut and paste today. This is a great group and they have the support of the American Heart Association. Join and continue to keep the cause in your legislators' face.

Article in Recent Tulsa World

Smoke hazardous in restaurants, bars


The levels exceed EPA air-quality standards, a study finds.



By SUSAN SIMPSON NewsOK.com

Published: 2/13/2010 2:27 AM

Last Modified: 2/13/2010 5:27 AM



OKLAHOMA CITY — Tobacco smoke pollution in Oklahoma City-area restaurants and bars is extremely hazardous and far exceeds Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards, according to a report released by the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center at the OU Cancer Institute.



The center looked at tobacco smoke levels in 67 Oklahoma City-area restaurant smoking rooms and bars and found that even restaurants with smoke ventilators had pollution levels harmful to workers and patrons.



The smoke was measured as particulate pollution, which the EPA ranks as hazardous at levels of 151-250 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The particulate level averaged 380 micrograms in restaurant smoking rooms tested by the center, and it measured 655 micrograms in bars.



Dr. Robert McCaffree, co-director of the tobacco center, said researchers knew secondhand smoke was hazardous but were surprised pollution levels were so high



Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=17&articleid=20100213_17_A19_OKLAHO513454&archive=yes

Letter from Senator Coburn... check out the highlighed part..... Personally as a practicing physician he could vote to protect all people, not just the ones who happen to drop by his office!

May 5, 2009

Mrs. Margee Aycock
1135 N. Denver
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106-4647

Dear Mrs. Aycock,

Thank you for your email regarding clean energy and smoking in public places. It is good to hear from you.

Like you, I believe we must move towards other forms of American energy such as solar and wind energy as you suggested. I am supportive of efforts to further develop all available renewable resources. However, we must allow the markets to work, so that consumers can pick the source that best matches their needs. I believe we boost energy development and new technological development the most when we reduce taxes for all Americans and eliminate unnecessary regulations that stand in the way of progress. I will continue my efforts towards this end.

Oklahoma is fast becoming a leader in alternative sources of energy. According to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, our state ranks ninth nationally in total existing wind energy generation and we are about to leapfrog near the front of that ranking. Wind energy is Oklahoma's primary alternative energy source and currently operates 689 wind turbines. Hydro power and the development of agrifuels also hold great potential. There is no reason why we should not be leading the nation in alternative energy production. I am encouraged to hear of developments in solar technology, and am hopeful it will one day become a cost-efficient alternative to traditional energy sources.

I am particularly encouraged by the large scale development of wind power. For it to continue, our state will have to aggressively embark on an expansion new transmission capacity just as you suggested, and I am encouraged that Oklahoma regulators have moved forward with a large transmission project connecting promising wind fields in the panhandle to the interior of our state. Where appropriate, I will continue to push for a streamlining of federal regulations that often slow or kill such development. I will also oppose legislation that places barriers in the way of new transmission development-something Congress is prone to do.

You may be interested to know, the Senate recently passed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (H.R. 146). Among other things, this bill will remove over three million acres in the United States from energy development - both traditional and renewable. I adamantly opposed this bill and, in fact, I offered an amendment that would have eliminated all restrictions on the development of renewable energy including geothermal, wind, solar, biomass and related infrastructure. Unfortunately, this amendment failed, because short-sighted members of Congress care more about their political careers than what is in the best interests of the nation. Please know I will continue to fight for a common sense energy policy that will provide for the energy needs of future generations.

With respect to your comments on nuclear energy, you should know I believe rather strongly that nuclear power is one of the safest, cleanest sources of power in the world. Nuclear power is now providing about 20 percent of America's electricity, with no air pollution or "greenhouse gas" emissions. It has been successfully used for decades in America and in France, where nuclear reactors produce 78 percent of all electricity. Unlike France, however, our nuclear waste will be recycled without separating plutonium - ensuring increased nuclear energy production is consistent with the Energy Department program's goal of non-proliferation.

Unfortunately, since the 1970s, more than 35 plants were stopped at various stages of planning and construction because of bureaucratic obstacles. Despite these difficulties, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 included several vehicles for progress including loan guarantees for advanced nuclear reactors and standby support framework for new nuclear power plant construction to protect against regulatory or judicial delays for six reactors. Nevertheless, nuclear power still faces significant obstacles, and I will continue to support efforts to streamline the licensing process.

I would encourage you to contact your state representatives on the topic of nuclear reactors in our state. They may be reached at:

State Senator Judy Eason McIntyre State Representative Jabar Shumate
2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Room 527B 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Room 510
Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: (405) 521-5598 Phone: (405) 557-7406
E-mail: easonmcintyre@oksenate.gov E-mail: jabarshumate@okhouse.gov

Furthermore, as a practicing physician, I agree with you smoking is hazardous to the health of smokers and those around them. As a result, I have a no-smoking policy in my office. I also agree it is important to help young people resist a lifetime addiction that will invariably harm their health and likely shorten their life. I believe that government can assist in achieving this goal by promoting healthy lifestyles and better enforcing current tobacco laws.

Thank you again for contacting me on these topics. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Sincerely, A
Tom A. Coburn, M.D.
United States Senator

Deadly cost of smoking in Oklahoma

Deadly cost of smoking in Oklahoma

IMPACT
Gary Raskob and Ken Lackey: A smoking prevalence of almost one in four Oklahomans is still too high.

By GARY RASKOB AND KEN LACKEY
Published: 4/23/2009  2:26 AM
Last Modified: 4/23/2009  4:09 AM

New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show the deadly impact of cigarette smoking in Oklahoma.

When the period of 2000-2004 is compared to 1996-1999, Oklahoma is the only state that failed to see a decrease in smoking-attributable mortality — the deaths caused by smoking. In fact, Oklahoma had an increase of 26.9 deaths per 100,000 people. Women in our state do worse than men, with twice as many smoking-related deaths.

Cigarette smoking causes an estimated 443,000 premature deaths each year in this country, with 6,209 of these deaths in Oklahoma. That's 85,208 years of potential life lost by Oklahomans. The direct health-care and productivity losses caused by cigarette smoking are staggering: $193 billion each year nationwide, and more than $2 billion in Oklahoma.

The tobacco companies continue aggressive efforts to help ensure a steady stream of new smokers. Their marketing spending topped $13 billion in 2005, nearly double their spending of a decade earlier and almost twice the entire budget for the CDC.

Some important strides have been taken in the right direction. The voter-approved state tobacco tax increase that took effect in 2005 has begun to have an impact, with the prevalence of smoking declining from 26.1 percent of Oklahomans in 2004 to 24.7 percent in 2008.

Private business has also shown leadership, with many providing positive incentives for their employees to quit smoking. The business community understands that a healthier workforce

leads to reduced health-care and workers compensation costs and higher worker productivity.

However, a smoking prevalence of almost one in four Oklahomans is still too high — more than double the CDC's Healthy People 2010 goal. It is time for us to pledge to do more!

Federal data for 1985 through 2003 show states with higher expenditures for tobacco-use prevention programs had greater reductions in adult smoking prevalence.

The non-partisan Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that substantial and enduring reductions in tobacco use depend on federal and state government steps to increase tobacco excise taxes, enact bans on smoking in public places, and increase health coverage for effective smoking cessation interventions. It called for full implementation of comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation programs at CDC-recommended funding levels.

Oklahoma should heed the IOM recommendations, which are based on scientific evidence.

Strengthening tobacco use prevention will decrease unnecessary premature loss of life, lower health-care costs, and have a positive impact on business competitiveness for our state.

---

Gary Raskob, Ph.D., is dean of the College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Ken Lackey is chairman of the board of NORDAM. By GARY RASKOB AND KEN LACKEY

Call to action

Powerful tobacco lobbyists are pressuring the State Senate to support smoking in Oklahoma restaurants and other public places. These special interest lobbyists don't care that exposure to secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that causes heart attacks, heart disease, lung cancer and many respiratory disorders.




There is a bill on the agenda of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee next Thursday, February 19. The bill will create a smoke-free environment for all restaurants, bars, and indoor workplaces. The members of that committee need to hear from people who believe in smoke-free restaurants, bars and public places.



Call or email the members of the Senate Health and Human Services committee today!



Tell them "EVERY OKLAHOMAN DESERVES THE RIGHT TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR.".

Sen. Tom Adelson Democrat (405)521-5551 adelson@oksenate.gov


Sen. Sean Burrage Democrat (405)521-5555 burrage@oksenate.gov


Sen. Brian Crain Republican (405)521-5620 crain@oksenate.gov


Sen. Jim Halligan Republican (405)521-5572 halligan@oksenate.gov


Sen. Constance Johnson Democrat (405)521-5531 johnsonc@oksenate.gov


Sen. Clark Jolley Republican (405)521-5622 jolley@oksenate.gov


Sen. Dan Newberry Republican (405)521-5600 newberry@oksenate.gov


Sen. Jim Wilson Democrat (405)521-5574 wilson@oksenate.gov

Bill 1036 to Eliminate Smoking Rooms

Sen. David Myers rides again.  Thank you senator for your persistence on this issue.  Although the Restaurant Association does not back this bill, we, who are tired of the laws that protect smokers rather than non smokers wish him well on getting this bill passed.  The bill would faze out the smoking room in restaurants and would be one more step in the right direction towards eliminating smoke in bars across the state.  Please encourage your senators to support bill 1036.

Study: Restaurants didn't take a hit with smoking law

Maybe we are getting a little closer. To read the story in today's Tulsa World ( sept 24 ) click this link. http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080923_336_OKLA471802

Legendary Cains Ballroom Smoke Free!

All I can say is Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The Cains Ballroom has had a history of leading the way in Oklahoma's diverse music scene.  Well thank you Cains for taking the lead once again.  If you haven't been out to hear music in a while and you haven't slipped on your dancing shoes for years because of smoke filled listening and dance venues, it is time to dust off the shoes and get back out there.  Cains, and Bob's ( next door ) are now smoke free. 

I had the pleasure of attending two events there in July.  I heard many, many people expressing their sheer joy at being able to come out to listen and dance in a smoke free environment.  Some hadn't been out to hear live music in years.

I encourage all of you to express that appreciation to the Cains Ballroom management both by your words and by your presence at your favorite music events at the Cains. 

On the side bar you will see a short but growing list of other smoke free venues.

This is a Letter that My Brother RCVD from a Co Worker

I have some bad news I need to share with you for a couple of reasons. I know you are a praying man, you brought me into this business, and I still intend to work it. I had my follow up meeting with my surgeon yesterday. I understand why I have been feeling so bad since early spring. I have cancer.



I will begin treatment in early June unless something gets really bad before then. They want to wait for me to heal from my last exploratory surgery before moving forward. They are going to start with something that won’t be fun, but is not too invasive.



The doc said the most likely reason I have this is due to second hand smoke for 10 years in clubs. How ironic—I always thought that was a scam.

My Day at the Capital

Things I learned from my day at the capital

Not being much of a politician but being passionate about the safety of my children I headed out to OKC for lobby day at the capital today. I was joined there by many other volunteers from the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, people from other health organizations, a bar owner and lots of just regular people like me who have been affected by second hand smoke or who have lost a loved one to cancers or heart disease brought on by smoking or breathing second hand smoke.

We spoke with a lot of Senators. A lot of the senators of course, are planning on voting for the bill ( SB1875) Thank you , Thank you , Thank you!

We also spoke with some senators who are planning on voting against this bill ( at this time ). What I found interesting was hearing from the ones who do not ( at this time ) support the bill it wasn’t because of the health issue. They all agreed that it was dangerous to be alive in that environment. Some had even lost loved ones themselves to cancer caused by smoking. These same senators stated as their reason for not supporting the bill was that they were concerned about the 2% of restaurants who put in smoking rooms costing on average $5000-$10,000. Apparently some of these senators felt that they had promised these restaurant owners that there would never be any law written that would get rid of smoking in all public establishments and somehow think they are honor bound to vote against this bill even given NEW INFORMATION that
1. The American Society of Heating , Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers ( ASHRAE ) the international body that sets the standards for indoor air quality, stated that ventilation “CANNOT ELIMINATE THE HEALTH DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH SECONDHAND SMOKE” which means that even though those restaurants put in smoking rooms with ventilation, the ventilation will do no good to remove the dangerous chemicals that smokers will be exposed to nor will it protect those in the room next door as wait staff and patrons move between rooms.
2. Now that other states ( and entire countries ) have gone smoke free there is more information that addresses worries that business will suffer if smoke free is enforced. There have been NO studies that show this, instead there have been reports that business actually increased after smoke free laws were enacted. In NYC alone business increased by 8.7%. hmmmm at an 8.7% increase in profits how long would it take to recoup that $5,000 ventilation system?
3. Since we enacted smoke free restaurants or restaurants with separate smoking rooms we have also gotten new information from the surgeon general came out with their report on the dangers of being exposed to 2nd hand smoke. Here are some of the chemicals found in 2nd hand smoke and the cancers they cause:

Arsenic, benzo (a) pyrene, dadmium, nickel and NNK : lung cancer
Nitrosamines : cancer of lung, respiratory system and other organs
Aromatic amines: bladder and breast cancers
Formaldehyde and nickel: nasal cancer
Benzene: leukemia
Vinyl chloride: liver and brain cancer
2-napthalymine and 4 aminobiphenyl: bladder cancer
lead: liver cancer

OK so that is the newer information not that we really needed any of that to know that breathing 2nd hand smoke is dangerous and exposing any worker against his will to a dangerous substance is just plain wrong. So dear senators you may salvage your reputation given that when anyone recieves new information they are allowed a free pass to change their minds with no shame, no harm, no foul. There is no shame in changing your mind when given new information. The shame would be for you to exchange your perception about your reputation for our health.

I got up real early this morning and have probably had way too much coffee so I will get down off my soap box now and hope and pray that our senators do the right thing and that you all will keep writing and calling them so that they know that you care.

Just Rcvd this morning

Dear Advocates:

Good Morning!

Here is the latest news out of the Oklahoma State Capitol this morning. Senator Bass' bill that would prohibit the scanning of driver's licenses has passed the Senate and is now going to the House.

See the story below for more details. If you have any questions about this bill or other questions, please don't hesitate to email or call me.

Many of you are probably wondering what is happening with SB1875/Smoke-free Oklahoma Act. We are waiting to hear about SB 1875/Smoke-free Oklahoma Act and whether it will be heard on the Senate floor. I will keep everyone informed as I find out more information.

Thanks for all that you do!
pw

Sen. Bass Passes Privacy Bill in Senate


Detailed information contained on digital driver licenses is supposed to be used for public safety purposes—but right now, there is no law protecting individuals from having that information used for other purposes, including identity theft.

State Sen. Randy Bass, who previously championed Oklahoma’s landmark identity theft legislation allowing Oklahomans to freeze their credit free of charge, has won approval for legislation to further protect the identity of Oklahomans through legislation aimed at stopping the practice of electronically swiping driver licenses and capturing the data to use for marketing purposes. The Senate voted unanimously to approve Senate Bill 1745 on Tuesday.

“Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in this country, and new technology keeps making it easier for criminals to steal your personal information,” sad Bass, D-Lawton. “Someone can ask to see your driver license as proof of age, and before you realize it, they’ve scanned all of your information with a small, portable device.”

Bass said that often occurs in bars, when representatives of tobacco companies offer free samples, but ask to see the person’s driver license first. The information is then scanned and used in direct marketing.

“I think this practice just demonstrates how easy it is to scan someone’s license without their knowledge and use that information for identity theft,” Bass said. “My legislation would make it a misdemeanor to scan a license and to sell or store the data collected.”

(more)

SB 1745’s supporters include the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Oklahoma State Medical Association, Oklahoma Hospital Association, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, Oklahoma Parent Teacher Association, AARP and others.

The measure now moves to the House for further consideration.



Paula James Warlick
American Cancer Society
Grassroots Manager - Oklahoma
(918) 477. 5410 or (888) 376.1725
email: paula.warlick@cancer.org

"The only cure for grief is action."
-Goethe

Take action today by visiting www.acscan.org
You CAN make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Senator Meyers' Bill ( SB 1875 )Moves to Senate

Yippee!
The battle for this bill is just beginning and we will need all of you to write your senators or call them now and ask them to support SB1875
I will try to post a sampling of some of the letters that you all are sending. Every now and then one of you copies me on your letter to your senator. Unless you state otherwise I will assume that I am free to share your letter on this blog.

In the next few days, your Senator will be voting on SB 1875 or the Smoke Free Oklahoma Act. Now is THE time to call and your Senator and tell him that EVERYONE deserves to work in a healthy workplace.

Don't have your Senator's phone number and email? Go to: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/ - then go to bottom to "Find your legislator." Enter in your home address and then go to your STATE Senator. It is that easy!


Thank you, Margie! I wrote both senators notes along these lines:
Please help protect Oklahomans by insuring that all employees in our state enjoy smoke-free workplaces. Smoke-free work places discriminate against no one and protect all. Those who wish to invite risk by inhaling cigarette fumes should also recognize the right of those who seek to protect against second-hand smoke hazards. If smokers would choose to light up their tobacco where it won't harm anyone else, legislation would not be necessary, and many employers won't forbid smoking for fear of losing revenue, but if the state imposed penalties for all venues (bars, entertainment, waiting areas), smokers would simply have to choose to light cigarettes in places where no one else is harmed.
And, Oklahoma would save healthcare dollars that are far too costly to waste.

Jeffery

Another Letter:
Hello Senator Williamson,


I urge your support for Senate Bill 1875, as it will improve the short- and long-term health of Oklahomans. As you know, the health of Oklahomans has a direct impact on education, the economy, and the quality of life in our state.


Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this important issue.


Respectfully,
Stephanie Arnold de Verges