Information on smoking law available on Web site

Publication Date: 2008-06-30

• Publication:The Gazette

With the Smokefree Air Act going into effect Tuesday, health officials report that businesses and the public are eager to learn as much as they can about the new law.

Since the state's Web site about the new law — www.IowaSmokefreeAir.gov — was launched June 2, the site has received more than 50,000 total hits, an average of nearly 1,800 per day.

"These numbers, along with more than 1,200 questions and comments from the public, indicate a strong interest among Iowans in following the new law," said department director Tom Newton. "Education is the key to compliance. Even after the law goes into effect, we will continue to focus on educating the public."

Signed by Governor Culver on April 15, the Smokefree Air Act is aimed at protecting the health of employees by prohibiting smoking in nearly all workplaces in Iowa, including restaurants and bars.

Enforcement of the new law will be accompanied by a strong educational component, including personally contacting businesses that have received a complaint, compliance check site visits by local law enforcement and fines after other efforts have failed.