The City of Collinsville Passes a Tobacco Ordinance that Prohibits the Use of All Tobacco Products on All City Owned and Operated Properties

COLLINSVILLE – [August 27, 2015] A new Collinsville city ordinance enacted to protect the health of Collinsville residents and visitors by prohibiting the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, on all city-owned properties will take effect on September 1.

The city commission adopted the ordinance during its July 20 meeting. The tobacco-use ban applies to all buildings, vehicles and outdoor properties that are owned and operated by the City of Collinsville.

“The ordinance was passed to provide for a healthier work environment, encourage healthier lifestyle choices for city employees and to protect visitors on city property from secondhand smoke,” said Collinsville City Manager Pam Polk.

Tobacco is the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. In addition, a U.S. Surgeon General report states there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which can damage the cardiovascular system and cause coronary heart disease and lung cancer.

Smoking prevalence is decreasing in the U.S., but vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes has risen sharply in the past couple of years, particularly in Oklahoma. Vaping devices are still unregulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and could pose additional health risks caused by nicotine and other chemicals.

The ordinance adoption follows the City of Collinsville’s recognition as a Certified Healthy Community in 2014. Collinsville achieved Merit Level and city leaders are working on meeting the requirements of achieving the Excellence Level.

Certified Healthy Oklahoma is administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. It’s recognition of cities and towns that have taken action to improve health in their communities. A Certified Healthy Community must satisfy many broad-based health elements which include prohibiting the use of tobacco products on all city-owned and operated properties.

“The parks in Collinsville are already tobacco free so this ordinance will be an extension making not only all of the parks tobacco free but all city owned and operated property tobacco free as well” said City Commissioner Melodie Bateman.”

The Tobacco Free Coalition of Tulsa County has worked with the City of Collinsville over the years to support policy change to ensure tobacco free environments. The Tobacco Free Coalition is a Healthy Living Program grantee funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.