Sunday marked the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the Smoke-free Air Act that former Governor Chet Culver signed into law. The law banned smoking in bars, restaurants and outdoor entertainment venues. Adam Angstad has worked as a server at the Hamburg Inn in Iowa City for 12 years and … [Read more...]
E-cigarette company to work with Iowa Attorney General to keep kids from vaping
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is part of a plan announced by the e-cigarette maker JUUL to keep kids from using their devices. Miller says a group of public health experts will work on a model of how combustible that all e-cigarette companies can use. "We'll work with them to try and … [Read more...]
Teens hold rallies to call for an end to tobacco use
Iowa teens plan rallies at the state capitol and in their own communities today on what's known as Kick Butts Day. They're calling for local leaders and lawmakers to help create the first tobacco-free generation. Gustavo Torrez, director of youth advocacy at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, … [Read more...]
Group says state not spending enough money on anti-smoking programs
A new report shows Iowa only spends a small fraction of the money it gets from cigarette taxes and the settlement with tobacco companies on anti-smoking programs. John Schacter, director of state communications for the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, says Iowa initially used most of its yearly … [Read more...]
Coalition proposes $1.50 hike in Iowa’s tobacco tax
A coalition of 19 groups is calling on Iowa's governor and legislators to more than double the state tax on tobacco products. Stacy Frelund, the state government relations director for the American Heart Association, said Iowa's tobacco tax ranks 29th among the states and hasn't been raised in a … [Read more...]
CDC pegs national smoking rate at 21 percent; Iowa’s is lower
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control shows one in five American adults were smoking or using other tobacco products regularly in 2015. "In Iowa, our news is even better," said Garin Buttermore, a community health consultant for the Iowa Department of Public Health. Iowa's smoking rate … [Read more...]
Statewide survey finds decrease in alcohol use by kids
The results of the latest Iowa Youth Survey of kids in 6th, 8th and 11th grade shows a drop in alcohol use, but an uptick in kids who have had thoughts of suicide. The Iowa Department of Public Healths survey coordinator Pat McGovern says reported alcohol use was down among both middle school and … [Read more...]
Taxing and regulating on-line E-cigarette sales
A proposal to try to regulate and tax electronic cigarettes and other so-called "vaping" products sold online to Iowans has emerged at the statehouse. Senator Charles Schneider, a Republican from West Des Moines, said those sales are happening now. "We want to make sure that sellers of vaping … [Read more...]
Alliance seeks $2.3 million more for Iowa’s anti-smoking programs
The Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance is asking the governor and legislators to significantly boost state spending on anti-smoking programs. "We realize that this is a tight budget year and we know that it's going to be really hard and money is scarce, but increased tobacco control program funding … [Read more...]
Great American Smokeout offers encouragement to quit
Iowans who want to kick the cigarette habit can get plenty of encouragement today . The annual Great American Smokeout is getting underway, according to Caroline Clark, with the Iowa chapter of the American Cancer Society. "We're encouraging everyone to put up your cigarettes, your chewing … [Read more...]