Kansas State Fair to have designated smoking areas starting in 2016

? Those who want to light up a cigarette at the Kansas State Fair will be required to smoke at designated areas beginning in 2016.

The state fair board narrowly approved the change after a lengthy debate Tuesday, The Hutchinson News (http://bit.ly/1K0dbq4) reported. Kansas joins more than 15 other state fairs in the country that restrict smoking on their fairgrounds.

Board member Brad Rayl mentioned attendance at the fair could be affected, with roughly 20 percent, or around 78,000 patrons, being smokers. Others expressed concerns that vendors who smoke or might have employees who smoke wouldn’t have the time to walk over to a designated smoking area.

The board voted 6 to 5 on the measure with Fair Board President Harmon Bliss the deciding vote.

“I think down the road, if we don’t get things laid out right, we can fix it and work on it,” Bliss said.

The policy won’t go into effect this year to give state fair staff time to suggest the designated areas and determine how the policy will be implemented. Smoking currently is banned only inside fair buildings and the grandstand seating area.

Fair Manager Denny Stoecklein said other details, such as whether to allow smoking at outdoor eating establishments, also will have to be decided. He said he already has been in contact with other fairs about how they implemented similar policies.

The idea to curb smoking on fairgrounds was raised by Reno County youth organization Communities that Care, which is aimed at drug and alcohol prevention.

Member Maddie Page, 18, said the goal was to create a healthy, family-friendly environment. She said she and other members were pleased to learn about the board’s vote.

“It’s very exciting that they are willing to look into a change like this and the difference it can make at the state fair,” she said.