WASILLA -- The Alaska State Fair has adopted a smoke-free policy that will send tobacco and e-cigarette users outside the fences into a handful of temporary smoking areas.
Under the new policy, smoking isn't permitted during the fair anywhere within fenced common areas of the fairgrounds property. Smoking is also not permitted within 40 feet of the main gated entrances to the fair.
The fair will provide access from inside the fair to at least four temporary smoking areas outside the fence, according to spokesman Dean Phipps.
The policy also comes with a new commitment to training for staff and security contractors "on how to walk up to somebody and say, 'I'm sorry, you may not have heard but there's no smoking at the fairgrounds,' " Phipps said.
Vendors and their employees also fall under the restrictions.
The smoke-free policy applies to tobacco products as well as vapors from electronic smoking devices.
"Specifically, it prohibits carrying, holding, inhaling or exhaling the smoke of a lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, plant material, or of any other lighted or heated smoking equipment, including e-cigarettes that create a vapor or any other oral smoking device," according to a fair statement.
The fair in recent years has allowed smoking in nine designated areas, including behind the Colony Theater, outside the Sluicebox Bar and the carnival midway.
The fair board actually made the decision effective Jan.1 but announced it this week.
Officials say the new policy will reduce exposure to secondhand smoke as well as litter and discourage smoking around children. Detractors say there are plenty of offerings at the fair that are just as unhealthy as smoking, but supporters say fairgoers choose to expose themselves to those risks.
The fair's decision tracks with a state and national trend toward smoke-free businesses and organizations, officials say. The fair set aside one day last year to go smoke-free.