Stillwater Revamping Tobacco Rules with Eye on State Funding

The Stillwater City Council advanced an updated smoking ordinance on first reading Monday that will make the city eligible for grant funding through the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust.

The new ordinance replaces the city's current smoking regulations with updated language that meets TSET eligibility criteria, potentially opening access to millions of dollars in grant funding for community projects including parks and recreation improvements.

"This should ensure that the city is eligible to apply for any grant funds that we are otherwise eligible for, depending on the project," said City Attorney Kimberly Carnley during the July 7 council meeting.

The ordinance clarifies where tobacco and vapor product use is prohibited, including all municipal property both indoor and outdoor, parks and recreational areas. While the basic restrictions remain largely unchanged for smokers, the new language aligns with current state law and includes specific provisions required by TSET.

Thomas Larson, TSET's director of public information and government affairs, emphasizes the importance of such policies for community health.

"Smoke-free air policies are essential because everyone deserves the right to clean air," Larson said in an interview. "With these policies, the city is really leading by example and they're prioritizing the health of residents."

One significant addition involves signage requirements that weren't in the previous ordinance. Outdoor area signs must now be weather-resistant, at least 15 by 15 inches in size with lettering of at least 1 inch, and clearly state that smoking or tobacco use is prohibited.

"If people aren't informed of what the rules are, then it's not really doing you any good," Larson explained. "So we want to make sure that there is appropriate signage, and everyone understands that those public spaces are tobacco free."

The updated ordinance also prohibits ash receptacles in areas where smoking is banned and prevents retaliation against people seeking compliance with the regulations. Penalties remain unchanged, with fines ranging from $10 to $100.

According to Larson, TSET has seen dramatic success in reducing tobacco use across the state. Adult smoking rates have dropped from over 28% to around 15%, while teen smoking has plummeted from 25-30% to approximately 4%.

"We've seen a dramatic reduction in adult smoking," Larson said. "We've also seen a huge reduction in teen smoking."

The organization distributes approximately $40 to $50 million in grant funding annually across various categories. Beyond tobacco cessation, TSET funds community infrastructure projects that promote physical activity and healthy living.

"Any TSET grantee has to have tobacco-free property, whether that's a city or a nonprofit or schools," Larson explained. "That's one of the first things we look for when someone applies for our grant."

For cities applying for TSET incentive grants, the organization encourages adoption of multiple health-promoting policies including wellness councils and healthy vending machine options.

"Health is really built on a lot of small decisions," Larson said. "Through policy, cities and towns can make it easier for people to make healthier decisions."

The grant funding could significantly benefit Stillwater's parks and recreation facilities. Council members expressed enthusiasm about the funding opportunities, particularly for projects like improvements at Strickland Park.

"There's significant dollars in there," said Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski. "Some of our parks and recreation facilities could really benefit from TSET dollars."

The ordinance also addresses practical enforcement matters, allowing peace officers and code enforcement officers to enforce the regulations. The city attorney can pursue additional remedies including administrative proceedings, criminal enforcement or injunctive relief.

Updated definitions in the ordinance include clarifications for "indoor area" and "outdoor area" that encompass municipally owned areas, even those held in public trust where the city is the beneficiary. The definitions for tobacco and vapor products now mirror state law.

City staff will need to implement new signage requirements once the ordinance takes effect, but City Manager Brady Moore indicated staff is prepared for the transition.

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For residents seeking help with tobacco cessation, TSET operates the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, which Larson describes as "one of the best quit lines in the country." The service provides free coaching, up to four weeks of nicotine replacement therapy including patches, gum or lozenges, and text support.

"Anyone out there who is using tobacco and wants help quitting, they should register for services with the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline," Larson said. The helpline can be reached at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or okhelpline.com.

While vaping wasn't captured in the teen smoking statistics, Larson noted it remains "a big concern and something that we are educating teens and parents and educators about."

The council voted 4-0 to advance the ordinance to second reading. Once adopted, the updated regulations will be posted on the city's website and staff can begin pursuing TSET grant opportunities.

"Let's get, let's start applying," said Councilor Tim Hardin after the vote.

The ordinance represents part of TSET's broader mission beyond tobacco cessation, including funding for cancer research and addressing obesity as one of the leading causes of preventable death in Oklahoma.