On this page...
Who We Are
Led by youth and supported by adults, ISTEP is a statewide movement made up of young people in grades 7 through 12 who want to step up and take action against tobacco and nicotine, including vapes. Not only is ISTEP the only statewide youth-led organization focused on ending tobacco in Iowa – it’s also a lot of fun for young people. ISTEP encourages youth to make friends, make a difference and become leaders. ISTEP educates other students, community leaders and loved ones by bringing light to the true unfiltered facts on the dangers of tobacco and nicotine. ISTEP organizes fun events like street marketing activities to get their community’s attention.
Learn about ISTEP chapters and leadership
List items for ISTEP Home Accordion
- Change the social attitude toward all tobacco and nicotine use.
- Raise awareness of the harms of tobacco and nicotine use through education.
- Inspire and support cessation among people who use tobacco and nicotine.
- Expand leadership skills to positively impact peers in making healthy lifestyle choices, such as being tobacco and nicotine free.
- Address mental health concerns in relation to tobacco and nicotine use.
Youth are a target when it comes to tobacco and nicotine use, including vaping. There are tobacco industry documents that discuss intentionally targeting youth with their advertising. These are the same tobacco companies that for years claimed they do not market to youth. The tobacco companies insisted that nicotine is not addictive, and that secondhand smoke is not harmful. After further research, we know nicotine has been found even more addictive than heroin and secondhand smoke can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses and many other health complications.
Youth ISTEP members know the true unfiltered facts of tobacco and nicotine use. In turn, they aim to stay informed about new forms of tobacco and nicotine products, like vapes, nicotine pouches, etc., so they can make informed decisions themselves and share these facts with their peers, community leaders and loved ones through everyday conversations, street marketing events and the annual ISTEP Summit.
Program Structure
List items for ISTEP Program Structure
It’s pretty amazing when like-minded young people come together for a good cause. And that’s exactly what happens in every ISTEP Chapter in our state. ISTEP Chapters consist of one adult chapter advisor and a minimum of 3 young people in grades 7 through 12. Chapters focus on raising awareness and educating their peers and community members about the harms of tobacco and vaping through street marketing events.
If you’re looking for something to make you stand out as a leader, you’ve found it. After all, there’s really no better way to show that you’re a caring, smart, hardworking, ambitious young person than by getting involved in ISTEP. It’s a great way to learn important leadership skills and get a head-start on your amazing future.
The ISTEP Executive Council is what truly keeps the program youth led. The Council consists of 9th through 12th grade youth across Iowa who serve as leaders of the Program. It’s approximately made up of 10-15 members, one in which is elected as the ISTEP President, which is a one-year term. The Council plans annual street marketing events and activity kits, plans and leads the annual ISTEP Summit and makes big campaign decisions. This group is supported by the ISTEP Coordinator with Iowa HHS in the Behavioral Health Division.
The Council meets virtually on a regular basis on ISTEP initiatives such as upcoming street marketing events, presentation opportunities and summit planning. However, about three times a year the Council meets in person in the Des Moines area for Council Retreats and the annual ISTEP Summit. Council Retreats focus on development leadership skills, as well as team building to increase rapport and engagement among the group.
To serve on the Council, youth must:
- Be in grades 9 through 12.
- Be tobacco and nicotine free, including vaping.
- Act as a leader and spokesperson for the ISTEP program.
- Attend and participate in Council activities and meetings regularly. • Attend and lead the annual ISTEP Summit alongside other Council members with the help from the ISTEP Coordinator.
- Be in regular communication regarding Council initiatives with the ISTEP Coordinator.
- Be active in their local chapter, if applicable.
Resources and Outreach
List items for ISTEP Resources and Outreach
- ISTEP Order Form: Free promotional items for registered chapters to use at outreach events.
- Team Building Activity Guide
- ISTEP Resource Guide
- ISTEP 101 Flyer
- Vaping VS Reality Brochure
- ISTEP Youth Code of Conduct and Participation Form
- Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
- Healthiest State Initiative
- Iowa Students for Tobacco Education and Prevention Website
- Iowa HHS Model Tobacco Free and Nicotine Free Policies
- Iowa Smokefree Air Act
- My Life My Quit
- Smoke Free Housing
- The Real Cost Campaign
- Truth Initiative
- Your Life Iowa
- Youth Engagement Alliance
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Recorded Webinars
- Authentically Engaging Youth in Tobacco Control During COVID (February 2022)
- Introduction to ISTEP, told by the Council (September 2021)
- Youth Engagement in Tobacco Control, a National webinar presented by youth coordinators (September 2019)
- Virtual ISTEP Summit 2020
Presentation Templates
- Let's Make Healthy Choices (May 2023)
- Know the Risks: A Youth Guide to E-Cigarettes (CDC/IDPH)
- Outsmart Smart Vapes
Promotional Videos
- We are ISTEP
- Good Multiplies
- Summit Mural
- Summit Experience
- Advisor Recruitment
- 10 Year Anniversary
- Press Conference (Vaping Vs. Reality Governor' Campaign)
- Escape the Vape (Vaping Vs Reality Governor's Campaign)
- ISTEP Stomp
- ISTEP Starts the Conversation around Mental Health
- Tell us you’re a Part of ISTEP without Telling us
- Join ISTEP
- ISTEP Makes a Difference
- ISTEP Leadership Series Christina
- ISTEP Leadership Series: Bryant
Share pictures and videos from your chapter's street marketing events by tagging ISTEP.
- Facebook - Facebook.com/IowaSTEP - @IowaSTEP
- Instagram - Instagram.com/IowaSTEP - @IowaSTEP
Events
List items for ISTEP Events
Save the date for this year’s ISTEP Summit – October 28, 2025, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines! We hope to see you there!
Think big, attention grabbing, fun and impactful! A street marketing event involves your chapter doing an event in public. They’re flashy and get your chapter’s name and work recognized in your community. These events help build awareness of the work your chapter does. ISTEP street marketing events should be all about tobacco prevention and education. These events are also great opportunities to recruit new chapter members.
Annual Street Marketing Events
The ISTEP Executive Council plans annual ISTEP street marketing events as an option for chapters to participate in. These events are planned during the summer months and announced the beginning of the school year.
5 Step Planning Process
As you hold chapter meetings, there is a planning process that will take place. It’s recommended to go through the questions at each step in the process to ensure an event runs smoothly from start to finish.
- Research - What, Where and When
- What activity/event do you want to do? Will it have a theme?
- Where will the event be held? School, library, YMCA, etc.
- When will it be held? Date, time, etc.
- Will you need to get permission to hold the event here?
- Plan - Plan Event
- What materials will you need in order to do the event? Contact your CP for these.
- Will you need to meet before the event to put materials together? If so, plan a date to do this.
- All chapter members should be involved. What role will everyone play?
- How will you announce the event? Social media, newspapers, flyers, intercom announcement, flash mob, etc.
- Who will take pictures of the event to show off your hard work?
- Will you be missing class because of an event? If so, you will need permission from parents or teachers ahead of time.
- Action - Day of Event
- Have materials ready to go ahead of time (camera included).
- Hold the event – Everyone knows their role and is ready ahead of time.
- Clean up after the event – Leave the location looking in the same condition as you found it, if not better.
- Determine when your next meeting will be.
- Discussion - Evaluation Meeting After Event
- Reflect on the event itself – What went well and why? What could have gone better? What will you do differently next time?
- Did you work together as a group? Did everyone feel included? If not, how can you improve this?
- Would you do this type of event again or would you like to do something different?
- Determine the next meeting date to plan your chapter’s next event.
- Optimize - Planning Next Event
- Before going through the cycle of planning again by starting back with Step 1 of the process, think about what you could do to make planning the next event even better. Evaluate your strengths as a group and reflect on lessons learned in the process.
Each year the youth Executive Council plans four activity kits to support registered chapters to host local outreach efforts throughout the year. Use the materials in the kits to keep current members engaged, recruit new members and talk to your friends and peers about the concerns of using tobacco and nicotine, including vaping. Allow these kits to expand personal leadership skills, while positively influencing friends and peers.
As your chapter completes activities this year, let us know about it by tagging @IowaSTEP on Facebook or Instagram, or by submitting the ISTEP Outreach Events and Activities form.
Build connections among youth members at the first chapter meeting of the year. Play the Dicebreaker game, decorate personalized cups and put together a plan for the year, like events and goals.
Materials in this kit include:
Educational materials
Dice
Tumbler cups
Stickers
Smart vapes look techy and act like games, but they’re designed to hook you. Break the streak and speak up to friends, peers and supportive adults in your local communities about the harmful truth of smart vapes.
Materials in this kit include:
This isn’t your traditional bingo game! Educate friends and peers about the risks of using tobacco or nicotine, including vaping, through an interactive trivia bingo game.
Materials in this kit include:
- Flyer
- Bingo sheets
- Calling cards
- Bingo chips
- Prizes
Mental health is like a garden - when cared for, it grows and thrives. Promote healthy mental health habits through a hands-on activity that encourages youth to support themselves as well as one another.
Materials in this kit include:
- Flyer
- Sticky notes
- Craft materials
- Flowerpots
- Compressed potting soil
- Seeds
- Plant labels
Back to top