Making Your Community Smokefree

In 2008, the Iowa legislature passed the Smokefree Air Act prohibiting cigarette smoking in all non-hospitality workplaces, restaurants, and bars across the state. Since enactment, the rate of adult cigarette smokers has reduced from 21.5% in 2007 to 14.6% in 2021. But current legislation does not include e-cigarettes. The number of high school students using e-cigarettes has increased from 3.3% to 14.1% in the same amount of time. 

The Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance advocates for comprehensive smoke-free air laws to protect workers and the public from the harmful effects of secondhand exposure and to create communities that support tobacco-free living. The use of electronic cigarettes, including supposed non-nicotine e-cigarettes, should be prohibited in all workplaces including resturants, bars, and gaming facilities to protect against secondhand exposure to nicotine and other harmful chemicals. 

What can YOU do?

Local elected leaders have the opportunity to reduce the tobacco burden by implementing stronger smokefree ordinances that include e-cigarettes.

We have resources for you and your communities to implement these ordinances in your communities. 

• Going Smokefree in Your Community - A guide to engaging your community
• Model Ordinance - Definitions and model language for implementing a comprehensive ordinance
• E-cigarettes and Smokefree Air Legislation - Fact sheet about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes to share with your community

We appauld the cities and towns that have already adopted local ordinances adding e-cigarettes to their smokefree air laws. 

For more information, please reach out to the Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance at [email protected]. 

The Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance is made up of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, Clean Air for Everyone (CAFE), and Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights.