Tobacco use: Iowa 2026

Cigarette use: Iowa

• In 2024, 12.9% of adults in Iowa smoked. Nationally, the adult cigarette smoking prevalence was 11.6%.

• In 2018-2019, 21.6% of adults who smoked in Iowa smoked menthol cigarettes. Nationally, 32.3% of adult smokers used menthol cigarettes during this period.

• In 2021, 4.1% of high school students in Iowa smoked cigarettes on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the cigarette smoking prevalence among high school students was 3.8%.

Other tobacco product use: Iowa

• In 2024, 8.9% of adults in Iowa used e-cigarettes. Nationally, the adult e-cigarette use prevalence was 8.0%.

• In 2024, 4.5% of adults in Iowa used smokeless tobacco every day or some days. Nationally, the adult smokeless tobacco use prevalence was 3.4%.

• In 2021, 16.4% of high school students in Iowa used electronic vapor products on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the e-cigarette use prevalence among high school students was 18.0%.

• In 2021, 2.3% of high school students in Iowa used chewing tobacco, snuff or dip on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the smokeless tobacco use prevalence among high school students was 2.5%.

• In 2021, 2.4% of high school students in Iowa smoked cigars, cigarillos or little cigars on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the cigar use prevalence among high school students was 3.1%.

Economics of tobacco use and tobacco control

• Iowa received $202.5 million (estimated) in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes in fiscal year 2026.

• Of this, the state allocated $3 million in state funds to tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2026, 10% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual spending target.

• Smoking-related health care costs: $1.49 billion per year.

• Smoking-related losses in productivity: $3.1 billion per year.

Iowa tobacco laws

Tobacco taxes

• Iowa is ranked 33rd in the U.S. for its cigarette tax of $1.36 per pack (enacted March 2007), compared with the national average of $2.05. (New York has the highest tax at $5.35 and Missouri has the lowest at 17 cents.)

• Little cigars are taxed at $1.36 per 20 cigars, snuff is taxed at $1.19 per ounce and all other tobacco products are taxed 50% of the wholesale sales price.

Clean indoor air ordinances

• Smoking is prohibited in all government workplaces, private workplaces, schools, childcare facilities, restaurants, bars, and retail stores.

• Smoking restrictions are required in casinos/gaming establishments (tribal establishments are exempt).

• The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited on state-operated and owned buildings and outdoor grounds, on the campus of Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, in foster homes and vehicles when a foster child is present, and in cars carrying food orders placed through a food delivery platforms.

• E-cigarettes are not included in the state's indoor air laws or the state's definition of tobacco products.

E-cigarette Registry Laws

• Effective February 3, 2025, only products listed in the e-cigarette state directory and have provided certification of approval through the PMTA process will be allowed for sale in the state.

Licensing laws

• Retailers and wholesalers are required to obtain a license to sell tobacco products.

• A license is required to sell e-cigarette products.

Youth access laws

• In December 2019, the United States adopted a law raising the federal minimum age of sale of all tobacco products to 21, effective immediately.

• Those under 21 years are prohibited from buying alternative tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.

• Distribution of free vapor products to persons under age 21 or within 500 feet of places when they are primarily in use by minors is prohibited.

• Retailers making delivery sale of vapor products must use a method that requires the signature of a person at least 21 years of age before the package is released.

Local tobacco laws

• Iowa City prohibits the use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and chewing tobacco, throughout all parks except in privately owned vehicles.

Quitting statistics and benefits

• The CDC estimates 42.4% of daily adult smokers in Iowa quit smoking for one or more days in 2019.

• In 2014, the Affordable Care Act required Medicaid programs cover all quit medications.

• Iowa's state quit line invests $1.52 per smoker, compared with the national median of $2.62.

• Iowa does not have a private insurance mandate provision for quitting tobacco.

Notes and references

Updated March 2026 

*National and state-level prevalence numbers reflect the most recent data available. This may differ across state fact sheets. 

**The seven recommended quitting medications are NRT gum, NRT patch, NRT nasal spray, NRT inhaler, NRT lozenge, Varenicline (Chantix) and Bupropion (Zyban).  

Fiore MC, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service: May 2008. 

1. CDC. (2024). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. 

2. CDC. (2024). State Menthol Fact Sheets. 

3. CDC. (2021). High School Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System. 

4. Broken Promises to Our Children: A State-by-State Look at the 1998 Tobacco Settlement 27 Years Later. (2026). Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/what-we-do/us/statereport 

5. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2024). The Toll of Tobacco in the United States. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. 

6. American Lung Association. (2024). State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues (SLATI). 

7. American Lung Association. (2026). State of Tobacco Control. https://www.lung.org/research/sotc 

8. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2024). State Cigarette Excise Tax Rates & Rankings. https://assets.tobaccofreekids.org/factsheets/0097.pdf 

9. Public Health Law Center. (2024, June 15). U.S. E-Cigarette Regulations: 50 State Review. https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/resources/us-e-cigarette-regulations-50-state-review 

10. State E-Cigarette Registry Bill Map | Public Health Law Center. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2025, from https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/resources/state-e-cigarette-registry-bill-map 

11. FDA. (2024). Tobacco 21. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/retail-sales-tobacco-products/tobacco-21 

12. Truth Initiative. (2024, June 30). Local restrictions on flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/local-restrictions-flavored-tobacco-and-e-cigarette 

13. CDC. (2024). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System.