Up in Smoke Over Tobacco at Riverbend

Tobacco booths at Riverbend have some people fired up. Several Chattanooga organizations are saying the festival is violating the law, by having them there. However, festival organizers say they aren't doing anything wrong.

All kinds of people walk through Riverbend's gates, and for 29 years it's been a summer staple for everyone in the community.

"There's something for everyone at Riverbend," says Friends of the Festival Spokeperson Andy Tallent.

That's why organizers say this claim sent by the Chattanooga Hamilton County Regional Health Council is false. It states, the festival is in violation of the law by allowing tobacco product vendors to advertise and distribute tobacco in the presence of children teens and young adults.

"The law states you cant advertise at an event specifically for kids. Riverbend is not a kids festival it's a community festival," says Tallent.

The regional health council and several other health organizations say these smoking tents are too close to the city playground across the street.

Skirting on the edge of the Federal Master Settlement Agreement guidelines on youth targeting. While some parents agree.

"I think if they see other people doing it they are going to do it," says Donna Wolff.

Others say its no big deal.
"Kids are going to smoke regardless, as a smoker I don't see a problem with it," says Jackie Cusick.

Friends of the Festival says they enforce strict rules on the tents, requiring two I.D checks and regulating branding.

Since they are operating well within state rights, there probably wont be any changes.

"We will keep in mind where they are placed but it'll be about the same next year," says Tallent.

The organizations involved want enforcement by the State Attorney General's Office and for Riverbend to eventually become completely smoke free.

Other organizations that signed the letter are the county health department, the american cancer society and the american heart association.