Breathe Easy
Breathe Easy is a program of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) that is designed to aid organizations in adopting tobacco free policies and promoting the tobacco free status of their business, campus, congregation, multi-unit housing complex or other organization. The goal of the program is to enhance protection from secondhand smoke for all Oklahomans.
Secondhand smoke (SHS) is a known cause of cancer in humans and contributes to heart disease and stroke. Secondhand smoke is estimated to cause more than 700 deaths in Oklahoma among nonsmokers each year. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke; even brief exposure can cause serious health problems and be deadly. Completely eliminating smoking is the only way to fully protect people who do not smoke from secondhand smoke exposure.
Thirdhand smoke is an additional danger resulting from lingering smoke and can stay on surfaces and dust for weeks to even months. These particles contain nicotine and hundreds of other toxic chemicals that are bad for our health. Small children are especially susceptible, as they touch floors and surfaces and put their hands in their mouths. Pets can also be harmed as they self-clean and ingest thirdhand smoke particles.
- Secondhand smoke is smoke from burning tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, or pipes.
- Secondhand “smoke” from electronic cigarettes, also known as vapes, is referred to as secondhand aerosol and is frequently mistaken for water vapor. This aerosol is also harmful to non users who may encounter it.
- Secondhand smoke exposure occurs when people breathe in smoke breathed out by people who smoke or from burning tobacco products.
- Secondhand smoke is comprised of mainstream and sidestream smoke.
- Mainstream smoke is smoke containing toxins exhaled by the individual.
- Sidestream smoke is smoke containing toxins released from the burning end of a tobacco product.
- Sidestream smoke is more harmful as it has not been filtered by an individual’s lungs.
- Thirdhand smoke is made up of the pollutants that settle indoors when tobacco is smoked. The chemicals in thirdhand smoke include nicotine as well as cancer-causing substances such as formaldehyde, naphthalene and others.
- Thirdhand smoke builds up on surfaces over time. It can become embedded in most soft surfaces such as clothing, furniture, drapes, bedding and carpets. It also settles as dust-like particles on hard surfaces such as walls, floors and in vehicles.
- Thirdhand smoke can remain for many months even after smoking has stopped.
You can help improve clean indoor air protection in Oklahoma.
Many federal, state and city government buildings prohibit smoking or tobacco use of any kind on their property. In Oklahoma, Title 21 prohibits smoking in most indoor places. Oklahoma laws apply to indoor places used by or open to the public, indoor workplaces, and public transportation. Smoking is prohibited in these places, with few exemptions under state law.
Staff at the OSDH Tobacco Prevention and Control Program provide technical assistance and resources to business owners and property managers among other Oklahomans as they work to adopt policies to safeguard the air in their buildings. This assistance, along with various resources, is free to all Oklahomans.
If your organization is not included in the list above, you can still have an impact. OSDH has sample voluntary policies to share and education on implementing these new tobacco free policies is available upon request.
Every Oklahoman has an opportunity to safeguard the air around them by advocating for and promoting tobacco free policies that would prohibit smoking. Tips for getting involved can be found at Join The Cause for Stronger Tobacco Policies | Tobacco Stops With Me.
Throughout this site, we will share information and resources to help you join in the mission of creating a smoke-free Oklahoma.
Request Materials
To request decals and/or signage, please visit our Request Materials page.
Contact Us
For answers to any questions, inquiries, or technical assistance needs, please visit our Contact Us page. Include basic information on what your needs are, if anything is time sensitive, the best way to contact you and include time of day in the comment box and someone will reach out to you within 2-3 business days.
Resources
Sample policies
- Tobacco Free Multi Unit Housing (with 25 foot buffer zone from entrances allowed)
- Tobacco Free Multi Unit Housing (completely tobacco free property)
- Workplace Wellness Policy (coming soon)
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Chronic Disease Prevention Services
Tobacco Prevention & Control Program
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-6406
Physical Address:
Oklahoma State Department of Health
123 Robert S. Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK
Email: OnlyAir@health.ok.gov
