In its 2008 session, the Iowa Legislature passed the Smokefree Air Act in an effort to limit employee and public exposure to secondhand smoke. This law was effective on July 1, 2008, and affects many businesses and facilities throughout Iowa. For more details about the law, please review the Smokefree Air Act website at www.IowaSmokefreeAir.gov.

Private educational institutions must comply with the Smokefree Air Act. Effective July 1, 2008, the entire Grinnell College campus became smoke-free, including in or around all buildings and outdoor spaces. Smoking is prohibited on all campus property. Buildings, parking lots, vehicles owned by Grinnell College, sidewalks, and athletic fields are included in the ban. Persons who choose to smoke on Grinnell's campus do so at their own risk. The fine for violating the smoking ban is $100 for the first offense and increases by $100 for each subsequent offense. Obviously, there will no longer be a smoking lounge in the residence halls, smoking will not be allowed in the loggias, and all residence hall rooms must be smoke-free.

Facilities Management staff removed all ash receptacles on campus and posted "no smoking" signs in campus parking lots, common entrances to the campus, and on doorways of buildings. These measures are necessary to comply with the law. Grinnell College is offering the following resources to those who wish to quit smoking tobacco.

1. Quitline Iowa
Quitline Iowa is a toll-free, statewide smoking 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 ongoing support through optional follow-up calls.
The Quitline is staffed:
Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-midnight
Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

2. Smoking Cessation
Arrangements are being made to offer smoking cessation classes in Grinnell. Any student interested in these classes should contact Health Services. Student Affairs will help share a portion of the cost for these classes.