Clear Air at the Fair, by Frances Smith

When I was at the Coos County Fair last month, I saw fewer people smoking than in the past. There were colorful signs posted throughout the fair grounds that had pictures of kids and messages such as "We Care About Our Kids ... Thank You For Not Smoking." There were also ads for the Oregon Quit Line. The posters were supplied by the Health Department's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, which is funded by the tobacco tax (Measures 44 & 20). Some fairs in other counties have gone totally smoke free, and not just in the animal barns. You would think that if people smoked outdoors it wouldn't bother non-smokers, but it does, especially in crowded areas. Another reason to ban smoking at public events is to de-normalize it. If kids don't see adults using tobacco, then they are less likely to start. If there were fewer people smoking this year at the Fair, it was voluntary, but that is a good step in the right direction.