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News
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Compliance
High in First Year of Smokefree Air Act
Posted 1 July 2009
Compliance with Iowa's Smokefree Air Act is high among businesses
during the law's first year. According to preliminary numbers from the
Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), only about 1 percent of Iowa's
more than 82,000 businesses subject to the Act have received a Notice
of Potential Violation from IDPH since the law went into effect July 1,
2008. Notices are generated following a valid complaint from the public
or inspector visit.
"As Governor, I am committed to protecting the health of all Iowans,"
said Governor Culver. "The high level of compliance with the Smokefree
Air Act means that we as a state are well on our way to achieving that
goal. In addition, it demonstrates that the vast majority of employers
in Iowa are abiding by this law, helping us create a brighter,
healthier future for our state."
Since July 1 last year, Notices of Potential Violation have been sent
to 1,015 businesses with employees. Preliminary numbers indicate the
top four business types for which a first Notice of Potential Violation
has been issued are: bars and restaurants (53 percent); retail stores
and service-based businesses (20 percent); private and member clubs (3
percent); government (3 percent); hotels and motels (2 percent). The
remaining 19 percent of employers who have received a violation notice
represent a wide variety of Iowa businesses. Final numbers of these and
other indicators of compliance will be released in mid-July.
"I am happy to say that our enforcement efforts have been very
effective during this first year of the Iowa Smokefree Air Act," said
IDPH Director Tom Newton. "The Notice of Potential Violation is
primarily a tool for educating employers about what they need to do to
come into compliance with the law. Of businesses who receive a first
notice, 79 percent do not receive a second notice."
Prior to the Iowa Smokefree Air Act, non-smokers who were exposed to
secondhand smoke at work increased their risk of heart disease by 25 to
30 percent, while their risk of developing lung cancer was 20 to 30
percent higher. The law protects employees in more than 99 percent of
Iowa's businesses, making it one of the most comprehensive in the
nation. For more information about the law or to report a violation,
visit www.iowasmokefreeair.gov.
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