The smoking show’s over in Tasmania

Tobacco smoking has been restricted at agricultural shows in the Australian state of Tasmania as part of the state governments attempt’s to denormalize smoking, according to a story by Ben McKay for The Examiner.

Under new rulings from the director of public health, smoking will be banned in most areas, though show organizers will be allowed to designate either two or four smoking zones, depending on the size of their shows.

Smoking has been restricted previously at Tasmanian music and food festivals, carols by candlelight and many markets.

“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,” said Health Minister, Michelle O’Byrne.