Iowa Smokefree Air Act

The Smokefree Air Act was signed into law by Governor Chet Culver on April 15, 2008. The law went into effect on July 1, 2008. Smoking will be regulated in public places, places of employment and certain outdoor areas. The Smokefree Air Act outlines areas where smoking is prohibited, areas where smoking is not regulated, enforcement details and scheduled penalties for persons and businesses that violate the law.

Important Updates

§         The Iowa State Board of Health has adopted the administrative rules that accompany the SmokefreeAir Act.

§         The rules, which have the authority of law since the Act went into effect July 1, outline how implementation and enforcement of the new law will take place.

§         IDPH has scheduled regional public hearings throughout Iowa to gather public comment on the Administrative Rules for the Smokefree Air Act. All public hearings are scheduled between August 18 and 22 and will be held via the Iowa Communications Network. Please click here to download the schedule of these public hearings. For more information about any of the ICN sites included in the schedule, please visit http://www.icn.state.ia.us/.

§         The purpose of this public hearing is to receive comments from the public regarding the administrative rules. Such comments may be supportive or non-supportive. The hearing is not intended to be a debate session nor a question/answer session but rather an opportunity for the public to submit comments regarding the filed rules. The Department will fully consider all comments received as it continues with the rule-making process.

§         As more information about the Smokefree Air Act becomes available, IDPH will update this Web site.

§         The primary goal of the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is to promote compliance once the law becomes effective. To help achieve this, IDPH will focus on educating the public and business owners about the Smokefree Air Act.

§         To help you understand the Smokefree Air Act, download the brochure.

To download sample signage that can be used to help enforce the Smokefree Air Act, or for more information on it, please visit www.iowasmokefreeair.gov/default.aspx.