Tobacco committee adopts state plan, resolution opposing legislation
Author:  William W. Savage III 
Date:  04/21/2009

(OK) Members of the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Advisory Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt changes to the State Plan for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation as well as a resolution opposing a resolution currently on the Senate agenda.

Oklahoma Health Department Chief of Staff Kevin Pipes filled in for the department's interim director and acted as chairman during Tuesday's meeting.

Pipes had strong words against a resolution he said would inhibit current progress being made on smoking cessation in the state.

HJR 1035, by Rep. John Enns, R-Waukomis, and Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, proposes a constitutional amendment modifying appropriation limitations from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund. It directs that 10 percent of the fund is to be expended by the Legislature on adult stem cell research. In the Senate, the section calling a November 2009 special election was removed.

"It's absolutely essential (…) to keep TSET from being bled off," Pipes said. "We're just beginning to see a little progress.

"It's not time to change the agenda quite yet. Maybe not for a few years."

Agreeing with Pipes was Pat Marshall of the American Cancer Society, who provided committee members with information on the resolution.

"If you have personally not contacted your senator on this bill, do it today," Marshall said. "Some of you say, 'We have a lobbyist doing that.' No, you need to go see your senator personally. They are here, so don't leave today without going to see them."

After those comments, members unanimously approved a resolution opposing HJR 1035.

"Though adult stem cell research may be a critical need, HJR 1035 runs counter to the original intent of the endowment by mandating that any certain percentage of the endowment's earnings be spent on any specific program," the resolution read.

Pipes said the Senate represents the last opportunity to stop the measure from going to a vote of the people, and he said he expects to see several other attempts to divert the money in the future.

After passing the resolution, members also adopted, with changes, the Oklahoma State Plan for Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation, which intends to create 200,000 fewer tobacco users by 2012.

The final version will take effect July 1.

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