Youth coalition seeks clearer no‑smoking signage at Iron County Fairgrounds; commissioners urge coordination

Members of Iron County Teens Against Drugs — Camry Longhurst, Lexi Zavoico, Cameron Sullivan and Sam Murray — urged the commission to strengthen outdoor no‑smoking messaging at the Iron County Fairgrounds, citing local youth survey data. "Twenty‑twenty‑five percent of Iron County youth have vaped in their lifetime, and 12 percent of our seniors vape in the past 30 days," the students said, summarizing results from the 2023 SHARP survey.

The youth coalition proposed four changes: clearer signage at outdoor locations (including parking areas and rodeo stands), increasing the required smoking distance from buildings from 25 feet to 50 feet, specifically listing devices (for example, e‑cigarettes and vaping devices) in the policy language, and adding clearer non‑smoking areas for fairgrounds spaces. Presenters offered to supply and install signs and to work with fairgrounds staff on designated smoking locations that would include ashtrays and trash receptacles.

Commissioners and county staff said the changes could be handled administratively and encouraged the youth to meet with the fairgrounds manager (Jamie) to coordinate locations and logistics. The commission did not adopt a formal ordinance at the meeting; staff said they would work with the fairgrounds on signage and policy updates and consider bringing any proposed countywide policy language back to the commission if necessary.

Why it matters: Youth presenters linked signage and norms at public events to peer perceptions of vaping and smoking and suggested improvements they say would reduce youth exposure and litter while lowering fire risk around outdoor facilities.

The commission welcomed the students' work and asked staff to follow up with the fairgrounds office on practical placement of signs and designated smoking areas.