Oklahoma Town Bans Smoking in Public Parks

Another Oklahoma town has taken on the task of banning smoking in their public parks. Norman Oklahoma, a college town with approximately 96,000 residents, has now banned smoking and the use of tobacco products in public parks. Making them the third city in the state with such an ordinance, Owasso and Noble have similar rules.

Members of the Norman City Council unanimously approved the city ordinance on June 23rd. It will take effect on July 23rd.

Councilman Doug Cubberley, who suffers from asthma, has advocated for the tobacco ban in parks for more than two years.

“This is a compromise, but it is a leap forward,” Cubberley said. “Again, it’s not perfect, but what are we going for in this legislation? It’s the public health, and it’s the example that we are teaching our children.”

City officials surveyed residents about the ban and said that 76 percent of those surveyed supported the ban on smoking in the parks.

The American Heart Association applauds the efforts of the Norman City Council and sees this as a small step towards banning smoking in more public areas including all workplaces.

Click here for the Oklahoman article on the ban.