October 6, 1999

'The Spokane Interstate Fair is one of the most popular seasonal attractions in Eastern Washington. But this year's fair included a new policy: no smoking. Spokane County Commissioners had adopted the ban on the eve of the fair at the urging of Dr. Kim Thorburn, the county health officer.

Thorburn wasn't driven to this recommendation by any specific health concern related to the fair itself, such as water usage, safe food preparation or adequate sanitation. Thorburn's call for a smoking ban was driven by political pressure, namely from Tobacco Free Washington, which had been calling for a smoking ban since last year.

And so smokers were banished to the parking lot. But instead of meekly accepting the new rule, people did something the commissioners never anticipated: They stayed home. Attendance for the fair's first three days plummeted more than 20 percent compared to last year, despite perfect weather. Angry phone calls poured in from citizens who were either fed up with the ban or the process used to enact it.

The government quickly reversed course, and County Commissioner Kate McCaslin scrambled out to the fairgrounds for a press conference.

"We heard you loud and clear," she stated. "It's clear we made mistakes in terms of the process that was used."

"We're definitely disappointed by this," said Tricia Hughs of Tobacco Free Washington. "We feel commissioners are backing down to public opinion rather than taking into account the health and safety of citizens."

The health and safety of citizens? How, exactly, is anyone's health or safety endangered by a guy walking by with a cigarette between his lips at a huge outdoor fair? The smoking ban wasn't enacted to "protect" anyone's health or safety; it was designed to harass people who smoke. '