Smoking bans in Iowa have really changed the face and identity of the state. Culturally it has become renewed, there are fewer adult smokers and workplaces have become healthier, according to those who back the indoor smoking bans.
Rep. Janet Petersen, who helped enact the smokefree air act in July of last year said, "This is probably one of the biggest cultural shifts in a short amount of time that our state will ever see."
The restrictions on smoking apply to nearly all public places. There is, of course, an exception to gambling areas, the Iowa State Fairgrounds and the Iowa Veterans Home.
State cigarette taxes have also been raised significantly, resulting in a drop in adult smokers from 19 percent to just 14 percent. According to State Attorney General Tom Miller, Iowa has become one of the top states in complying to new anti-smoking laws.
Research ought to be done to see what really motivates Iowan smokers to quit, and perhaps take an example from this state.
[Via: Globe Gazette]
