Council approves employer tobacco and vape cessation program with verification plan

The Bristow City Council on May 19 approved an Employer‑Sponsored Tobacco and Vape Cessation program that pairs a participation pathway with a proposed surcharge for employees who do not enroll. Mayor Kris Wyatt introduced insurance agent Jill Hopper to present the policy.

Jill Hopper, the insurance agent working with the city, said the program is a cost‑sharing approach: "Once the new enrollment is complete and an employee or spouse is signed up, they can within that year have completed the program and the employee must be tobacco free for 6 months and then the employer can take off the additional charge." Hopper said verification will start with an affidavit and that a blood test could be ordered to confirm status if needed. Councilmember Judd Johns pressed on why employees should pay more if the program is employer sponsored; Hopper said "it was a cost sharing program" and that the city has historically been generous in its contributions.

The council approved the program in a roll call vote (motion by Councilmember Heather Green, seconded by Jeff Roberts). The motion passed with Councilmembers Church, Deshazo, Green, Roberts and Witty voting Aye and Councilmembers Groom and Johns voting No. The council did not adopt a detailed testing protocol at the meeting; Hopper said the city would initially rely on signed affidavits and hopes employees will be truthful.

The council tied the program to employee‑benefit administration and discussed implementation details, including the use of biochemical testing for verification and an enrollment timeline for the surcharge to be applied and removed.