Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act is now in its 12th year and since it’s adoption there have been 6,400 complaints of smoking in prohibited places. The Iowa Department of Public Health announced the five highest areas of complaints: 1,670 from bars, 1,370 from restaurants, 1,102 from stores, 441 from government, and 242 from educational facilities. Anyone can report a violation of the Smokefree Air Act anonymously by phone or online.

According to the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, smoking has declined among Iowa’s adults from 2000 to 2017, dropping from 23.2% to 17.1%. That means, an estimated 400,000 Iowans still smoke cigarettes. The Iowa Smokefree Air Act does not apply to electronic smoking devices, but the products may be prohibited by a business or property owner if they adopt such a policy. Free help is available to assist in quitting the use of tobacco products at QuitlineIowa.org, and that includes e-cigarette and vaping products.