State, local leaders weigh in on use of designated smoking areas at 2022 NYS Fair
Originally published in
CNY Central
State and local leaders say the New York State Fair is a family-oriented event and are happy organizers decided to change things up and make designated smoking areas for the 2022 fair.
Smoking at the fair will be different from last year.
In 2021, fairgoers were allowed to smoke anywhere except inside buildings and at Chevy Court and park.
In 2022, Interim Fair Director Sean Hennessey says the fair will have six designated smoking areas around the perimeter of the Fairgrounds.
“We want all folks that are going to be using those types of resources to go someplace where they feel comfortable using those resources, but also away from children and young folks,” said Hennessey.
Local officials think this is a great idea, like County Executive Ryan McMahon, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, and Onondaga County Legislator Charles Garland.
They believe the fair is a family event and people shouldn’t have to smell marijuana wherever they go.
Mayor Walsh shared a statement, saying, “Parents are right to be concerned about kids being around any type of smoke. With the legalization of recreational cannabis, we need to treat cigarette and marijuana smoke the same, so it makes sense to restrict smoking to designated areas at the Fair rather than allowing it virtually everywhere as they have in the past.”
McMahon says the fair isn't the place to smoke marijuana.
“It’s legalized in the state, but at the same time, is the fair an appropriate venue for that? I’m going to let the state make that call, and certainly, that’s their decision,” said McMahon.
New York State Senator John Mannion shared his opinion on the topic, saying, “Visitors, especially children, should not have to breathe second-hand smoke of any kind at a family-friendly event like the New York State Fair. Having designated smoking areas around the fairgrounds is a reasonable solution and I’m supportive of the Fair’s strategy.”
Hennessey says if people want to smoke, they can at the designated areas, and security will be monitoring it.
Garland only hopes fairgoers follow the rules, saying, “You have to let people have an opportunity, an opportunity to show us whether or not passing these marijuana laws will work, especially when it affects others.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was in Syracuse Thursday afternoon but left before CNY Central could get her opinion on the smoking areas.
The smoking areas will be located around the perimeter of the fairgrounds.
Fairgoers can find the designated areas on the Fair website HERE.
Tickers for the 2022 Great New York State Fair can be purchased HERE.
