Representative Cynthia Roe

R

District 42

Hi, I'm Cynthia Roe and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 42nd District.


representative

News & Announcements

Jan 30, 2025
Recent Posts

Roe Files Bill to Issue Fines for Selling Minors Tobacco, Vape Products

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, has introduced House Bill 1682 which aims to hold businesses more accountable for selling tobacco and vapor products to minors, to ultimately protect youth from the dangers of nicotine addiction. The bill, titled The Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Act, would impose fines on employees and store managers who sell tobacco products to anyone under 21. Under the proposed legislation, repeat violations could result in the suspension of a store’s tobacco or vape sales license.  “The Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Act would ensure that both employees and store managers share responsibility for preventing underage cigarette and vape sales,” said Roe. “This bill holds them accountable and would take a strong stance to protect Oklahoma youth from the harmful effects of tobacco and vaping and the risk of a lifetime of addiction.” Under the proposed legislation, fines for illegal sales would increase with repeated offenses. Employees would face fines starting at $100 for a first offense, rising to $300 by the third, while store managers would face fines from $250 to $1,000. A fourth offense within two years would maintain these fines and could result in a store license suspension of up to 60 days. The bill would also grant local governments and law enforcement the authority to enforce these rules, which Roe says would reinforce efforts to curb illegal sales across the state. The Prevention of Youth Access to Tobacco Act also aligns with the goals of the Healthy Youth Initiative , a program led by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) which helps young Oklahomans make healthier choices. According to the Tobacco-Free Kids Organization , 21.8% of Oklahoma teens use e-cigarettes which is double the national average. "Vaping has become an epidemic among teens and is increasingly linked to mental health issues, as vape companies falsely market their products as stress relievers," Roe said. "These misleading claims trap teens in addiction, harm their health and make it difficult for them to quit. This bill educates young people on the serious consequences of vaping and tobacco use. The choices we make in our younger years have a lasting impact on our health and can ultimately shorten our lifespan." HB1682 will be eligible for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which starts Feb. 3.

May 24, 2024
Recent Posts

Roe Encourages Support of Bill to Limit Underage Tobacco Purchases

Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, today urged Oklahomans to express their support of a bill to curb youth use of tobacco products. House Bill 3331 would increase the fines for selling any tobacco product, nicotine product or vapor product to someone under 21. Current law only fines the clerk, whereas HB3331 would fine the business owner as well. Roe, who has been a registered nurse for 41 years and a nurse practitioner for 24 years, said this change is necessary given the sharp increase in recent years in teenage tobacco use. The use of these products, including vaping, is linked to numerous health issues. According to the most recently available data from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), 21.7% of Oklahoma youth reported they had used a vaping product in the last 30 days. The national rate is about 10%. In that same survey, 8.5% of Oklahoma youth used vapes at least 20 out of the last 30 days. "By making it harder for children to access these products that are already illegal for them to purchase, we can save them from a lifetime of health concerns," Roe said. "Fines and fees are nothing compared to the tens of thousands of dollars an Oklahoman may spend throughout their life on health issues that arose because of tobacco use that started as a teenager." Roe said, given that around 90% of current tobacco users started before age 18, preventing youth from starting vape or tobacco use is key. She urged Oklahomans to reach out to their state legislators to encourage their support of HB3331. "With our deadline to adjourn sine die quickly approaching, we need to take action now to curb the tobacco epidemic among our youth," Roe said. "We cannot afford to wait any longer to take substantive action. Every day that we delay House Bill 3331, we risk more of Oklahoma's children becoming shackled to a lifelong tobacco addiction." HB3331, which was amended in the conference committee process, is now eligible to be considered again on the House floor. The measure would need final approval from both chambers before moving to the governor's desk. The Legislature's deadline to adjourn sine die is Friday, May 31.

Oct 11, 2023
Recent Posts

STATEMENT: Roe Praises Law Enforcement for Work on Manhunt

Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, today released the following statement praising local, state and federal law enforcement for their work in finding the suspect wanted for shooting Cleveland County Deputy Sean Steadman and a bystander. The suspect, identified by police as Kameron Jenkins, was found dead Tuesday after a nearly weeklong manhunt.  "I'd like to add my thanks and praise to the many that have already been expressed," Roe said. "I am so grateful for the swift actions of all law enforcement agencies who worked to identify the suspect and then participated in a massive manhunt. Their actions no doubt kept others from being killed or wounded. Their commitment to protecting Oklahomans and maintaining public safety is deeply appreciated, and their hard work and dedication is a standard to which we should all hold ourselves. "I also want to thank local residents for their patience over the past week and their willingness to assist however they could, whether that was calling in tips or allowing law enforcement to use their property as a command post. Watching my neighbors come together was truly gratifying."