OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE / From the desk of Sen. Jessica Garvin
Last session, the Legislature passed a bill restricting how municipalities could penalize underage tobacco usage after studies found education was a stronger deterrent than strict penalties. As can happen in the legislative process, we tried it, and it didn’t work. Communities abided by this policy change the last several months, and it became apparent that education simply isn’t enough to stop underage use.
I’ve had numerous judges, district attorneys, communities and county officials urge me to give municipalities back their power to address underage tobacco use as they see fit, so I filed SB 215. This would reauthorize them to enact ordinances prohibiting and penalizing conduct relating to the purchase, receipt, or possession of tobacco or vapor products by those under 21. The bill was unanimously approved in the General Government Committee Thursday and will now go before the full Senate.
We have a major problem in our state when it comes to underage tobacco use and educating parents and youth about the dangers of tobacco is critical. I want to encourage everyone to visit www.StopsWithMe. com, which is TSET’s statewide campaign to educate people to help prevent use statewide and improve the health of all Oklahomans.
There’s a misconception that tobacco only affects those who use it, but secondhand smoke kills nearly 50,000 nonsmokers annually. It’s also impacting taxpayers who don’t use tobacco – Oklahoma’s annual healthcare costs related to smoking is $1.62 billion. The portion covered by our state Medicaid program, which we all pay for through taxes, is $264 million. Oklahomans’ tax burden from smoking-caused government expenditures is estimated at $1,165 per household. I don’t know about you, but my family could definitely use that money for something else.
Smoking causes our business-community $2.1 billion in productivity losses from users increased medical issues, taking smoke breaks, etc., but the worst issue is the lives lost. In Oklahoma, 7,500 adults die every year from smoking. If we don’t get it under control, an estimated 88,000 Oklahoma kids, who are now under 18, will ultimately die prematurely from smoking. Nearly 9 out of 10 smokers first tried cigarettes by 18 and 99% tried by 26. Around 1,300 Oklahoma minors become new daily smokers each year, and 25% of high schoolers report vaping in the last 30 days. These statistics are why I’ll continue to fight for tobacco reforms.
We have a generation that was taught cigarettes were bad, and they understand that, but then e-cigarettes and vapes were invented, offering teens cool-looking, flavored options that are falsely advertised as “safe alternatives.” This is our new fight as vapes are small and easy to hide; many are made to look like flash drives, which all students need and use, so parents and school staff struggle to recognize them.
These new devices are much more toxic than cigarettes, and many of these products contain more nicotine than an entire pack and can cause permanent, irreversible lung damage. One of the most popular brands, JUUL, was banned by the FDA last June for lying about the safety of their products. One JUUL, in fact, contains as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes. However, there are still many other e-cig and vape products readily available to our youth. They’re cheap and kids can easily get them from older siblings and friends. If you believe your teen is smoking or would like more information about cessation programs for yourself or someone you love, please visit TSET’s website for help.
Please contact me by email me at [email protected] or call 405-521-5522.
