FOR RELEASE: February 1, 2002
CONTACT: Dick Gunn
405/271-5601

State Tobacco Use Prevention Plan Released Today

The Oklahoma Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Advisory Committee today sent to state lawmakers a recommended comprehensive State Plan to prevent and reduce tobacco use in Oklahoma.

The plan is one result of the advisory committee's charge by the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Act, adopted last year by the Oklahoma Legislature, to plan, implement and provide oversight of a comprehensive program to reduce tobacco use in Oklahoma.

Public hearings on the "Oklahoma State Plan for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation" will be held in five communities on these days and times:

• Enid - Monday, March 25, 2002, Cherokee Strip Conference Center, Harvest Room, 123 W. Main Avenue, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Lawton - Wednesday, March 27, 2002, Lawton Professional Development Center, 2209 N.W., 25th, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Oklahoma City - Friday, March 29, 2002, Oklahoma Army National Guard Regional Training Institute, Auditorium, Room 103, 6500 N. Kelley, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Tulsa - Tuesday, April 2, 2002, Tulsa Central Library, Aaronson Auditorium, 400 Civic Center, Corner of 4th and Denver, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• McAlester - Thursday, April 4, 2002, SE Expo Center, 4500 W. Highway 270, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

As mandated by state law, the final adoption of a State Plan by the advisory committee will take place on or before May 1, 2002.

To view the proposed State Plan, please visit this Web site: http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/tobac/stateplan.pdf

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