Bartlesville Smoking Ban Expanded to All City Property

Bartlesville City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance prohibiting tobacco products, smoking and vaping on all city-owned, leased or operated property.

The ban covers parks, trails, recreation areas, playgrounds, city vehicles and equipment, both indoors and outdoors. It expands a previous smoking ban to include electronic cigarettes and vapor devices.

Community Development Director Larry Curtis said the city will post signage, remove ash receptacles and provide staff with an enforcement framework. Violations may be addressed as a nuisance under the updated code.

Council members cited public health, employee protections and litter reduction in approving the measure. The ordinance reduces exposure to secondhand smoke and aerosol, strengthens protections for children, and targets waste from smoking and vaping.