Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 1 - EXECUTIVE ORDERS › Section 1:2013-43

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
I, Mary Fallin, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, by the
			 authority vested in me pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of Article VI of the
			 Oklahoma Constitution, hereby direct and order as follows:
In 2012, I signed , which prohibited the use of any tobacco
			 product on any and all properties owned, leased or contracted for use by the
			 State of Oklahoma, including but not limited to all buildings, land and
			 vehicles owned, leased or contracted for use by agencies or instrumentalities
			 of the State of Oklahoma. The goal of this Executive Order was to provide for a
			 healthier work environment, encourage healthier lifestyle choices for state
			 employees and protect visitors to state property.
In the last couple of years, there has been an increase in the
			 use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, including use in the work
			 place and public places. While the popularity and use of these products has
			 increased, we still do not know the potential long-term health effects
			 associated with these devices. We do, however, know that the vapor produced
			 from these devices can release chemicals such as nicotine and other tobacco
			 related contaminants, including tobacco-specific nitrosamines and formaldehyde.
			 Because the secondhand vapor contains chemicals, it can impact
			 bystanders.
Additionally, many electronic cigarettes and vaping devices look
			 like traditional cigarettes and emit a vapor that looks like cigarette smoke.
			 The similarity of these products to combustible cigarettes, which are
			 prohibited on state property under , may create confusion for employees and
			 visitors and present enforcement challenges for state agencies.
On December 17, 2013, Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr.
			 Terry Cline released a Public Health Advisory to consumers and advised using
			 caution when using or considering using these e-cigarette and vaping devices.
			 This is, in part, due to the reality that these devices contain and emit
			 harmful chemicals, are currently unregulated, and pose known and unknown health
			 risks to users and non-users alike.
State and local laws and ordinances have been created to ensure
			 clean indoor air for Oklahoma citizens in most places. The vapor emitted from
			 these devices contains chemicals and toxins that undermine Oklahoma citizens'
			 expectations of clean indoor air. Accordingly, over 100 worksites across
			 Oklahoma have voluntarily prohibited the use of these devices on their
			 property. Another 65 school districts have passed similar polices thereby
			 protecting approximately 150,000 of our children while on school
			 property.
Therefore, the use of any electronic cigarette or vaping device
			 shall be prohibited on any and all properties owned, leased or contracted for
			 use by the State of Oklahoma, including but not limited to all buildings, land
			 and vehicles owned, leased or contracted for use by agencies or
			 instrumentalities of the State of Oklahoma. Provided, however, this Executive
			 Order shall not apply to residents of Veteran's Affairs Residential Facilities
			 while at those facilities.
The Executive Order shall be distributed to all members of the
			 Governor's Executive Cabinet and the chief executives of all state agencies,
			 who shall cause the provisions of this order to be implemented by all
			 appropriate officials and agencies of state government. The Oklahoma State
			 Department of Health ("OSDH") and Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust ("TSET")
			 will provide assistance to state agencies for implementing this order. The
			 Executive Order shall be effective January 1, 2014.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal
			 of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this 23 
			 rd day of December, 2013.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
Mary Fallin
ATTEST:
Chris Benge
Secretary of State
Added at 31 Ok reg 340, eff
				12-23-13