Iowa Smokefree Air Act Home

COMMON QUESTIONS

I live in a duplex or apartment building and my neighbor smokes. What can I do?

The Iowa Smokefree Air Act prohibits smoking in the common areas of apartment buildings (stairs, hallways, laundry room, etc) but does not prohibit smoking in an individual's apartment.

Smoking can be prohibited by the property owner or apartment manager and we suggest you look for a non-smoking residence before you move. Use the website below to search for smokefree homes around the state.

smokefreehomes.iowa.gov

Category: Apartments, Duplex, Neighbor

Keywords: apartment, duplex, property, smoking

When did the Smokefree Air Act take effect?

The law went into effect on July 1, 2008.

Category: Legislation

Keywords: law, legislation, smokefree air act

How far away from a door or window must you be to smoke?

The Iowa Smokefree Air Act does not have a distance requirement.

Category: Distance, Door, Outdoor, Window

Keywords: distance, outdoor, window, door

Are E-cigarettes/vape/Juul covered under the law?

The Iowa Smokefree Air Act does not apply to Electronic Smoking Devices (e-cigs, vape, Juul, etc...). The use of these products MAY be prohibited by a business or property owner if they adopt such a policy.

Category: E-cigarettes, Electronic smoking devices, Legislation, Vaping

Keywords: e-cigarettes, vaping, electronic smoking devices, juul, legislation

Is smoking outside a restaurant allowed?

Smoking is prohibited in the outdoor seating and/ or serving area of a restaurant. A restaurant is an establishment that prepares food. (Usually they will have a kitchen, a fryer or grill, etc. The difference is between, for example, making a pizza or just warming one up). Outdoor seating and/ or serving areas must be marked as non-smoking when you enter the area.

Category: Bar, Grill, Outdoor, Patio, Restaurant, Signage

Keywords: restaurant, bar, grill, patio, outdoor, signage

More FAQs

SUBMIT A COMPLAINT

Call 888-944-2247 or use the link below to submit a complaint.

This link allows you to submit a complaint on a business for potential violation(s) of the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. You are not required to submit your name or contact information. You can leave us your name and contact information in the comments section of the Complaint Form if you would like for us to get back in touch with you.

ORDER SIGNAGE

Order free No Smoking signage!

Please send an email to "TobContactUs@idph.iowa.gov" or call 888-944-2247
Be sure to include your:

name
mailing address
the number (quantity) of signs needed
the type (A, B, C, etc..) of signs you are requesting.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Resources

Quitline Iowa
Quitline Iowa is a toll-free, statewide, tobacco cessation telephone counseling hotline. Trained counselors provide callers with information about the health consequences of tobacco use, assistance in making an individualized quit plan, and on-going support through optional follow-up calls.