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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 08/23/2017 - On August 17, the Kittitas County Board of Health (BOH) and the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to amend the Kittitas County Chapter 8.24 to include designated smoking and vaping areas at the Kittitas County Event Center. The code amendment applies to the Kittitas County Fairgrounds and may be invoked at any other event held at the event center that is open to the public. With the new amendment, designated smoking and vaping areas will be in effect for the 2017 Kittitas County Fair. The code requires individuals who wish to smoke and/or use an electronic vaping device to do so in a designated area.
The Kittitas County BOH and BOCC are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment. The amendment is intended to decrease exposure to second-hand smoke especially among children and reduce the risk of property damage due potential fire hazards. Secondhand smoke harms children and adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and there is no safe level of exposure. And, although scientists are still learning more about e-cigarettes, there is enough evidence to justify efforts to prevent e-cigarette use by young people (CDC). “Local code treats smoking and vaping the same, in regard to preventing exposure in indoor, public places, and this is an opportunity to extend that to the Kittitas County Event Center,” asserts Commissioner Laura Osiadacz. The Kittitas County Public Health Department has worked with the Kittitas County Fair Board and Event Center staff to be proactive on identifying designated areas, providing signage, and promoting the code change. Information will be available to fairgoers via social media, the Kittitas County Fair Map, and designated locations will be clearly marked. For more information about Chapter 8.24 Smoking and Vaping, please visit the Kittitas County website at www.co.kittitas.wa.us/boc/countycode/title08.aspx#Chapter_8.24 or call the Kittitas County Public Health Department at 509-962-7515.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515