Thunder Bay Blues Festival goes smoke-free

People attending this summer's Blues Festival in Thunder Bay will have to butt out before entering the grounds.

Organizers of the popular summer concert festival say this year's event will be smoke-free.

Marketing director Trevor Hurtig said recently enacted provincial regulations concerning smoking near food-service areas led to the decision.

Hurtig said its a trend in the music festival industry, including the Canadian Lakehead Exhbition.

"I remember last year the CLE went smoke-free and my understanding is that it went well for them and it's certainly something that we're doing now and I think it's a trend," said Hurtig.

"It was something that we felt that either we could get involved with this now, or we're going to have to do it down the road one way or the other."

Hurtig said Blues Festival organizers have already received positive feedback about the change.