LEWISBURG, WV (07/22/2011)(readMedia)– The State Fair of West Virginia and Community Connections, in cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention, and the Coalition for a Tobacco Free West Virginia, have teamed up to offer outdoor designated smoking areas at the State Fair. While smoking is not prohibited on the grounds, the goal is to encourage visitors to use the the designated smoking areas which will will be scattered throughout the fairgrounds. According to Manager, Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe, “We feel that Designated Smoking Areas are the right compromise between folks who don’t want to experience second hand smoke while watching a show or standing in a line and those who do smoke and want to enjoy the fair. Overall, we hope this will make it easier on our hard
working grounds crew who are tasked with cleaning up thousands of cigarette butts. For years, we’ve prohibited smoking in the grandstand and smoking in all barns and buildings. This is the next logical step.”
Greg Puckett, Executive Director with Community Connections stated that, “Over the past few years, numerous fairs, festivals and parks around the Country have moved to protect the general public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. With over 7000 chemicals loaded into each cigarette, many of which are known cancer causing agents, making the move to protect fairgoers here in West Virginia is extremely important to the well-being of those that choose not to smoke.” Puckett added that, “The designated smoking areas will be clearly marked and there will be disposal units to keep the area neat and clean. We would like to thank the State Fair Board for making such a positive step forward.” For the past two years, Community Connections, in partnership with the state’s Regional Tobacco
Prevention Coordinator network, have participated in tobacco education at the State Fair by promoting a quit line with the help of the West Virginia Blazers
The 2011 State Fair is themed “It’s All Here” and is scheduled August 12-20. Named a Top 100 event by the American Bus Association, the State Fair is a 501 © 3 non-profit corporation committed to the traditions of agriculture, family entertainment, and education. For more information, please visit www.statefairofwv.com, or follow fair events on Facebook and Twitter.
