Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Iowa and the United States killing more than 4,500 Iowans and more than 400,000 Americans every year.
20% of Iowa high school students and 7% of Iowa middle school students currently smoke cigarettes while 8% of high school students and 2% of middle school students currently use spit tobacco.
18% of adults in Iowa currently smoke while 3% currently use spit tobacco.
In addition to active tobacco use, more than 231,000 children in Iowa are exposed to secondhand smoke at home.ii Each year, between 370 and 660 adults, children and babies dies from other's smoking, either from exposure to secondhand smoke or from smoking during pregnancy.ii
Research has shown the most effective way to reduce tobacco use is a three-pronged approach:
1) Protect people from secondhand smoke by passing smokefree policies
2) Fully fund and implement a research-based tobacco control program to prevent kids from using tobacco products and to help those currently addicted to quit.
3) Regularly increase the price of tobacco products.
Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance is dedicated to reducing tobacco use in Iowa and the death and disease associated with it.
Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids, Toll of Tobacco in the United States of America. (April 30, 2007) http://www.tobaccofreekids.org.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, The Toll of Tobacco in Iowa www.tobaccofreekids.org
Iowa Department of Public Health, Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control. Iowa Youth Tobacco Survey 2004 Executive Summary, http://www.idph.state.ia.us
Lutz, G.M., Gonnerman, M.E., Park, K.H., & Collingwood, M. Iowa 2006 Adult Tobacco Use Survey. http://www.idph.state.ia.us/tobacco/common/pdf/ATS_2006_Final_Draft.pdf
Want to quit smoking? Help is just a phone call away.
Click here to learn more about the Iowa Smokefree Air Act including updates, accessing signage, trainings and filing a complaint.
Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance
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Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance
P.O. Box 13336
Des Moines, IA 50310
515.681.1865
