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Bureaucratic Advocacy And Ethics: A State-Level Case Of Public Agency Rulemaking And Tobacco Control Policy, Michael S. Givel Dec 2011

Bureaucratic Advocacy And Ethics: A State-Level Case Of Public Agency Rulemaking And Tobacco Control Policy, Michael S. Givel

Michael S. Givel

Before 2001, the Oklahoma Department of Health achieved little to protect the public from the dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke. In an ongoing effort between 2000 and 2003, the department joined with health groups to lobby for stronger requirements, resulting in a new Oklahoma administrative rule in 2002 and legislation in 2003 regulating secondhand tobacco smoke. This action was congruent with the American Society of Public Administration's Code of Ethics for interactive democratic policymaking, in which administrators are required to serve the public interest with compassion, benevolence, fairness, and optimism.


Progress Delayed: State Of Tobacco Control Policymaking In Oklahoma From 2005-2011, Michael S. Givel, Ami E. Stearns, Andrew L. Spivak May 2011

Progress Delayed: State Of Tobacco Control Policymaking In Oklahoma From 2005-2011, Michael S. Givel, Ami E. Stearns, Andrew L. Spivak

Michael S. Givel

• Oklahoma’s 1987 Smoking In Public Places Act required the inclusion of smoking sections in restaurants and pre-empted more stringent local anti-tobacco laws with state regulations. • With the 2001 arrival of an aggressive new Commissioner of Health, Dr. Leslie Beitsch, the tide turned with new legislation (Senate Joint Resolution 21 in 2003) that prohibited smoking inside public places and required restaurants to build separately-ventilated “smoking rooms.” • In 2004, State Question 713 increased the cigarette tax by 55 cents per package. • Dr. Beitsch resigned in 2003 and since that time, efforts toward clean air have stalled. Although restaurants …