OKC Takes Steps To Ban Smoking At Parks

City leaders are taking steps to make the city smoke free, including public parks.

City Council members will introduce a proposal to ban smoking on all city property, not just inside city buildings, which is banned under the current ordinance.

“This is really an effort to do what we intended to do the first time,” said OKC City Councilman Pete White, who wrote the ordinance and will introduce it at Tuesday’s meeting.

White says years ago Oklahoma lawmakers prevented the city from banning smoking at public parks.

“Big Tobacco really got after them,” White claimed about previous efforts to ban smoking at public parks.

White is making one concession, smoking at city golf course would still be allowed, along with sidewalks as well.

“I want to get something done. I know this will pass,” said Councilman White about the proposal that is expected to be voted on next month.

Another ordinance banning the sale of vape products to people under 18 will also be introduced at City Council on Tuesday.