Australia: Cigarettes out at Tasmanian Shows

Source from:  examiner.com.au  05/20/2013

THE show is over for anyone planning to light up at the Launceston Show this year.

Agricultural shows are the latest events to go ``smoke free'' under new rulings from the Director of Public Health.

The shows join music and food festivals, carols by candlelight and many markets as the state government attempts to ``denormalise'' smoking, particularly for children.

``We want Tasmanian children to grow up in a place where it is unusual for them to see someone smoking; this both protects them from the harms of second-hand smoke and reduces the likelihood they will take up smoking in the future,'' Health Minister Michelle O'Byrne said.

Show organisers will be allowed two designated smoking zones, with larger shows like Launceston, Hobart and Longford getting dispensation for four zones should they wish.

For Launceston Show chief executive Brian Bennett, the new restrictions are something he would rather do without.

``If I had the choice of not having to worry about it, I'd take that. It's a bit of a challenge but not the end of the world, just the way the world is heading,'' Mr Bennett said.

``There's nothing worse than eating somewhere and smoke blowing everywhere in your face.

``The people that it's going to impact the most are stallholders and operators who are used to sneaking around the end of the stall and having a quick smoke.''

Ms O'Byrne said public events that were particularly likely to have children and teenagers attend have been prioritised as smoke-free events.

On-the-spot fines starting at $260 can be issued to smokers in smoke-free areas.

The shows join Agfest, also a smoke-free event in 2013. Enditem