Oklahoma legislators will consider giving cities power to ban smoking

Local governments in Oklahoma could soon have the power to ban smoking in public places under a plan legislators and health groups will announce Monday.

The plan calls for the repeal of state laws preventing cities and towns from enacting tobacco use restrictions stricter than the state's.

Oklahoma is one of only two states with these so-called pre-emption laws.

House Speaker-elect Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, said he plans to file legislation allowing cities to decide whether to ban smoking in public places, such as bars.