Iowa Students for Tobacco Education and Prevention (ISTEP)

• Change the social attitude toward all tobacco use
• Raise awareness through education
• Counter-market the tobacco industry’s efforts
• Inspire and support cessation among tobacco users
• Protect everyone from secondhand smoke

Since 2000, Iowa teens have had an active role in changing the general social attitude toward tobacco use. When the Iowa Legislature created the Division of Tobacco use Prevention and Control within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), they stressed the importance of youth involvement in reducing tobacco use among young people. They suggested the best way to do this was to hold an annual youth summit on tobacco.  The first youth summit was held July 2000. Almost two decades later, the youth tobacco prevention program continues to host an annual summit and has become so much more.

Iowa Students for Tobacco Education and Prevention (ISTEP) was created in 2011 and brought in a new wave of youth for tobacco use prevention and control. ISTEP held its first youth Summit in 2012 and is continuing to grow to this day.

Why Youth Tobacco Prevention?

Youth are a target when it comes to tobacco use. There are tobacco industry documents that discuss 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 was not addictive and that secondhand smoke was 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.

ISTEP members have seen the devastating effects of tobacco and nicotine use as we have lost those we love to tobacco. In turn, we’ve become educated on the true unfiltered facts about tobacco. It’s up to us to stay informed about new forms of tobacco and nicotine products, like electronic smoking devices (ESDs), hookahs, etc., so we can make informed decisions ourselves and share these facts with our classmates, community leaders and loved ones through everyday conversations, street marketing events and our annual summit.

In all of Iowa’s 99 counties there are Community Partnerships (CPs). Many CPs work with the ISTEP chapter advisors, youth and communities across the state on tobacco use prevention and control efforts. CPs often serve as chapter advisors themselves. 

*Reach out to your local CP to see how you can partner together. To find your CP coordinator, check out the Community Partnership Map.

Involvement opportunities include:

• Attending local coalition meetings
• Participating in tobacco free park initiatives and tobacco litter clean up
• Assisting with the development of a tobacco/nicotine free school policy for your school district
• Attending statewide conferences and events with CPs, if available

It’s pretty amazing when like-minded people come together for a good cause. And that’s exactly what happens in every ISTEP Chapter in our state. As an ISTEP Chapter member you can participate in local, statewide and even national activities, but your prime focus is your home community. Your efforts at the local level are the most important. Local chapters raise awareness to community members of the dangers of tobacco use and challenge Big Tobacco’s efforts through street marketing events and educational activities.

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 student 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 Executive Council is youth-led and adult supervised by IDPH staff. The council consists of students in Iowa, who serve as local and state leaders for the ISTEP program. Anyone in grades 7-12 can apply to be a member of the Executive Council or to serve as the ISTEP President.

The Commission on Tobacco Use Prevention and Control develops policy and provides direction for the Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control with HHS. The commission is made up of adults, three voting ISTEP youth and the non-voting ISTEP President.

The youth commission members provide a youth voice to the commission. Youth members learn more about tobacco control and ensure adult commission members also hear from youth in our state about what's important to them (you). It's a three-year commitment, but super worth it. Iowa youth in the grades 8-12 can apply to be a commission member.

• ISTEP Order Form: Free promotional items for registered chapters to use at outreach events.
• Shared Google Drive: organized by fiscal year and contains street marketing event details and social media schedules with graphics and captions
• NEW! Team Building Activity Guide
• Chapter Resource Guide
  • Attendance Log Template
  • Agenda Template
  • Youth Code of Conduct
  • Consent for Youth Participation

• Current statewide model school policy - Model Tobacco Free- Nicotine Free K-12 Schools Policy 
• My Life My Quit - ia.mylifemyquit.org/index
• Iowa Smokefree Air Act – smokefreeair.iowa.gov
• Smoke Free Housing – hhs.iowa.gov/programs/mental-health/tobacco-use-prevention-control/smoke-free-homes
• Quitline Iowa – quitlineiowa.org
• Centers for Disease Control, Office on Smoking and Health (CDC) - cdc.gov/tobacco/about/osh/index.htm
• Youth Engagement Alliance –  youthengagementalliance.org
• Truth Initiative –  truthinitiative.org
• Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids – tobaccofreekids.org
• The Real Cost Campaign - therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov
• Healthiest State Initiative - iowahealthieststate.com

Recorded Webinars

• Authentically Engaging Youth in Tobacco Control During COVID (February 2022)
• ISTEP Engagement Tips in Times of COVID-19 & Handout (January 2021)
• 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

Recorded Webinars

• Let's Make Healthy Choices (May 2023)
  • Facilitator Guide
  • Lesson Worksheet
  • Presentation slides
  • Bookmarks
• Know the Risks: A Youth Guide to E-Cigarettes (CDC/IDPH)

• 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

For ISTEP social media graphics, visit Educational Materials.

Sure, our message is serious, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have fun. Once a year, youth from all across Iowa get together for the ISTEP summit. It’s where we meet other chapter members and discover even more ways to take action against tobacco and nicotine, including vaping.

All Iowa youth who are in grades 7-12 are invited to attend, free of cost. ISTEP youth Council members plan and lead the entire day. 

See you at the 2024 Summit

• This year’s Summit will be held Thursday, October 10, at the Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. 
• The summit agenda can be found here. 
• Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided. 
• Groups are expected to provide and arrange their own transportation. 

Register today by following these instructions:

Since youth under the age of 18 legally need an adult to register them, we are asking adults to complete the online registration process.

• Step 1: Complete Link #1. The purpose of this link is to save your seats and gives the planning committee an approximate size of your group. 
  • During this process, you will select or enter your chapter/group name. Then, when completing Link #2 you will want to select the same group; this will allow for a smoother check-in process on Summit Day, ensuring all of your group members’ nametags are bundled together. 
  • If you’re bringing youth: For the “company” please put the school or ISTEP chapter you’re affiliated with.
• Step 2: Complete Link #2  once you know which youth will be attending with you. You will need to know their names, grades, if they’re allergic to latex and food restrictions. 
  • If you added a new chapter/group name in Link #1, it may take up to 5 business days for it to be added into the dropdown option. If it’s not available yet, enter the same chapter/group name as you did in Link #1 so the planning committee can easily identify which youth will be coming together.
• Step 3: Provide the youth with the required paperwork. The paperwork can be completed electronically this year! If you have issues with this, you can still print it to physically complete it, then scan it into an electronic file. Once it’s complete, email it to:  2024_IS.7lrdhxk5h4n5vwmw@u.box.com

The required paperwork can be found here.

If you need assistance with the registration process, contact: registrations@iastate.edu

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.

1. Research - What, Where and When
   1. What activity/event do you want to do? Will it have a theme?
   2. Where will the event be held? School, library, YMCA, etc.
   3. When will it be held? Date, time, etc.
   4. Will you need to get permission to hold the event here?
2. Plan - Plan Event
   1. What materials will you need in order to do the event? Contact your CP for these.
   2. Will you need to meet before the event to put materials together? If so, plan a date to do this.
   3. All chapter members should be involved. What role will everyone play?
   4. How will you announce the event? Social media, newspapers, flyers, intercom announcement, flash mob, etc.
   5. Who will take pictures of the event to show off your hard work?
   6. Will you be missing class because of an event? If so, you will need permission from parents or teachers ahead of time.
3. Action - Day of Event
   1. Have materials ready to go ahead of time (camera included).
   2. Hold the event – Everyone knows their role and is ready ahead of time.
   3. Clean up after the event – Leave the location looking in the same condition as you found it, if not better.
   4. Determine when your next meeting will be.
4. Discussion - Evaluation Meeting After Event
   1. Reflect on the event itself – What went well and why? What could have gone better? What will you do differently next time?
   2. Did you work together as a group? Did everyone feel included? If not, how can you improve this?
   3. Would you do this type of event again or would you like to do something different?
   4. Determine the next meeting date to plan your chapter’s next event.
5. Optimize - Planning Next Event
   1. 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.

*These ideas are only ideas and can be altered based off your chapter’s preferences. You may use these activities exactly how they’re suggested or you can create an entirely different event that fits your chapter.

SEPTEMBER

Back to School

The beginning of the school year is a great time to get your ISTEP chapter name out there to recruit members for the school year. First pick a big school event, such as a sporting event, homecoming parade, band or choir concert, etc. Next, find tobacco facts and silly puns then print onto labels (don’t forget to include the ISTEP logo and your chapter name). Place the labels onto food items being sold in the concession stand, or purchase food to hand out for free, depending on what type  of budget you have.

Here are some examples:

• There are so many “reese”ons to be tobacco free!
• Just be”twix” me and you – tobacco free is the way to be!
• Be a “smartie” – say no to tobacco!
• Don’t be a “nerd” – be tobacco free!
• I’m kind of a big “dill”- I choose to be tobacco free!
• It may be “corny” but I’m “popping” in to say, “tobacco is wacko”!
• Let’s “taco” bout quitting smoking!

OCTOBER

Red Ribbon Week (RRW)

Each year in October, one week is nationally known as Red Ribbon Week. Tobacco, alcohol and other drug awareness activities are conducted nationally every day throughout the week. See the Red Ribbon Week website (www.redribbon.org) to find event dates and ideas of activities.

Big Tobacco's Tricks (Not Treats)

Candy or tobacco? Can you tell the difference?

It’s hard to tell at first glance, and that’s not an accident. Tobacco companies want youth to think products like chew, electronic smoking devices and flavored cigars are as fun and as harmless as candy. That’s because they’re trying to get youth addicted to another tobacco/nicotine product, besides cigarettes, to keep their sales going. It’s a trick, not a treat. Nicotine in any form is addictive.

As a chapter, revamp tobacco advertisements to state the truth about tobacco products. Be creative – you can recreate magazine ads, commercials, billboards, etc. Feel free to refer to the Corrective Statements release November 2017 (www.tobaccofreekids.org/media/2017/corrective-statements).

NOVEMBER

Every year, on the third Thursday of November,  smokers across the nation take part in the Great American Smokeout. It’s a day to encourage someone you know to use the date to make a plan to quit, or plan in advance and then quit smoking that day. By quitting, even for one day, smokers will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk.

DECEMBER

Merry Quit-mas

Ho, ho, ho! Join in the holiday spirit of giving by creating quit kits for your peers at school and local businesses/organizations to help them become tobacco/nicotine free. The quit kits may include tooth picks, mints, gum, straws, sunflower seeds, stress balls, slips of paper to write down reasons to quit, Quitline Iowa information, etc.

Hand out the quit kits at a school or community event, or drop them off to local businesses to offer them to their customers. If you’re feeling brave, dress up as Santa and hand them out during a holiday party at school!

Healthy for the Holidays

Find out how much a pack of cigarettes or can of chew costs in your town. Create a flyer or poster with how much money people could save if they quit using tobacco. Show how the money could be saved and put towards holiday gifts or fun family events.

JANUARY

Wall of Remembrance

The new year brings new goals and hope for a fresh start. Go along with this theme and create “Wall of Remembrance”. This is a memorial display to show the impact that tobacco has on our community. Set up a display space and ask peers to bring photos of their loved ones who have passed away from tobacco use. Have students write on the display why they choose to be tobacco free for the upcoming year. 

FEBRUARY

Threw with Chew Week (TWCW)

ISTEP often does street marketing activities around smoking and secondhand smoke but we also need to focus on preventing spit tobacco. TWCW is a week-long event that focuses on the harm of spit tobacco. You can participate the entire week, just one day or somewhere in between.

MARCH

Kick Butts Day (KBD)

Kick Butts Day is a national day of activism put on and sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. KBD empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against tobacco companies. As a young person, teacher, youth leader or health advocate, you can organize events to raise awareness of the tobacco problem, encourage  other youth to stay tobacco-free and urge strong action to protect youth from tobacco. Find more information at www.kickbuttsday.org for more details about activities or contests.

APRIL

Earth Day and National Pet Day

Pets can suffer from tobacco exposure the same way humans can. Many tobacco product users are unware  of the harm their tobacco litter can do to pets, wildlife in general and the environment. We can help stop pets from inhaling tobacco smoke or ingesting tobacco litter and help clean up our local environment. Organize an event to clean up tobacco butts in parks in your community.

MAY

World No Tobacco Day

Observed annually on May 31, World No Tobacco Day is the only global event established to call worldwide attention to the impact of tobacco use on public health and to reduce individual tobacco dependence. Consider planning a tobacco free pledge event. This can be done anytime during the year where youth and adults pledge to be tobacco free. Create a display at your school, county fair, library, etc. where people will see it often and sign the pledge.  

End of Year Celebration

Make sure to celebrate your accomplishments from this past year with your ISTEP chapter. Make it a birthday bash theme – “Create a World with Less Cancer and More Birthdays”!

Chapter members can pitch in and bring snacks. Create a slide slow or poster board of photos from this past year. Share the slide show with teachers to show during morning announcements or to display the poster board where students will easily see it.

Vaping is full of toxic chemicals. Don’t let it cloud your mind. Pick a week to highlight the youth vaping epidemic with an eye-catching display. Reveal one toxic ingredient each day. On the final day, host an informational table to 
engage with your peers. For more details, view the flyer. 
The kit includes:

• flyers
• posters 
• balloons
• string
• paperclips
• toxic ingredients cards 
• intercom announcements
• prizes

Vaping seems to be all around you. Everyone seems to be doing it. Let’s duck vapes and encourage others to do the same. Set up a pollution pond and play a fun game to test your peers’ knowledge about tobacco and nicotine, including vaping. For more details, view the flyer. 

The kit includes:
•    flyers
•    posters
•    a small pool
•    rubber ducks
•    a vaping quiz
•    fact labels
•    prizes

Consider art as a mental health tool against addiction. Utilize the coloring pages, telestrations game and blackout poetry experience with your peers as a way to fight the temptation of using tobacco and nicotine products, including vaping. View the attached flyer for details (coming soon!).

The kit includes:
•     flyers
•    posters, {hyperlink the attached poster}
•    a handout with directions for each activity
•    coloring pages
•    telestrations cards
•    dice
•    sand timer
•    articles for the blackout poetry experience
•    doodle notepads
•    colored pencil packs