Duke Mayor, Bobby Baird explained the importance of the Tobacco Free Park Ordinance. The “Tobacco Free Park Ordinance is not directed at the tobacco user. It is about providing a clean safe environment for everyone. It is not about whether a person uses tobacco, but where tobacco is used.”
Violation of the Duke ordinance is a misdemeanor and punishable with a fine not exceeding $200.
Secondhand hand smoke is known to cause SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), asthma attacks, bronchial infections, lung cancer, raise levels of bad cholesterol, and cause heart attacks. The 2006 Surgeon General report stated there is "no safe level of secondhand smoke." Seven hundred and fifty Oklahomans die each year from lung cancer due to exposure to secondhand smoke and 216,000 children are exposed to the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified secondhand smoke as a known human carcinogen.
Most adults, including those who use tobacco products, admit that they do not want their children using tobacco products. The tobacco industry spends $245.8 million in Oklahoma each year marketing its addictive deadly products to Oklahomans. Tobacco companies put sugar and flavorings in tobacco to make it taste better to teens. Over 5,300 youth under the age of 18 become new daily smokers in Oklahoma each year. They purchase or smoke 10.8 million packs of cigarettes each year.
The Duke Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Ordinance, will enable local police officers to fine local retailers who sell to youth up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for a second offense, and $300 for a third and fourth offense. In addition to the fine, the store’s license to sell tobacco products may be suspended for a period not exceeding 60 days.
For more information regarding these ordinances, please contact the Town of Duke at 580-679-3400.
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