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Teens Against Drugs asks county to step up smoke- and vape-free signage at fairgrounds
Summary
A youth prevention coalition asked Iron County to expand and clarify outdoor smoking rules at the county fairgrounds—seeking conspicuous signage, 50-foot distance rules from buildings and explicit inclusion of e-cigarettes and vaping devices; commissioners asked staff to coordinate logistics with fairgrounds management and Ken (liaison).
Members of Iron County Teens Against Drugs presented a request to the commission to strengthen outdoor smoke-free policies at county fairgrounds and other outdoor county properties.
Students said a 2023 SHARP survey shows alcohol and e-cigarettes as the most commonly used youth substances and highlighted photos from an environmental scan showing tobacco use near bathrooms, parking areas and rodeo stands. Their four requested changes: clearer, conspicuous signage at outdoor locations (fairgrounds, parks and parking areas); increase the legal smoking distance from buildings from 25 to 50 feet across the county; specifically list smoking devices (pipes, cigars, vapes, e-cigarettes) in policy language; and clearly demarcate smoking and non-smoking areas. The students offered to provide and install signs and also suggested properly positioned smoking areas with ashtrays and trash receptacles.
County staff said signage and administrative clarifications can be managed without legislative action and recommended the youth coordinate directly with fairgrounds manager Jamie and Ken, the commission liaison. Commissioners said they supported the concept but asked the students to work with Jamie on logistics and to return with a more detailed plan if an ordinance change were needed.
Next steps: students were encouraged to meet with fairgrounds staff and the commissioners’ liaison to identify suitable smoking-area locations and to bring draft signage back to the commission if policy changes are desired.
