OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett joining those who support Gov. Mary Fallin's proposal to allow local communities to regulate tobacco use.
Cornett says Oklahoma communities find it hard to effectively address local public health concerns. State law currently prohibits municipalities from enacting smoking laws that are stricter than state law. Health officials say Oklahoma and Tennessee have the strictest laws in the nation on what cities can do regarding smoking ordinances.
Fallin said in her State of the State speech Monday that she backs a proposal to allow local control by cities and towns regarding tobacco use in public places.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health and the state optometric association have also endorsed the plan.
Similar legislation died in the state Senate last year.
