We believe that connecting young adults to Quitline Iowa can help young adults achieve their health goals and live their best lives.
Learn more about the project and how to get involved below.
PEAQ Project
What is the PEAQ Project?
Adults ages 18-29 (young adults) who live and work in small towns and rural communities are disproportionately impacted by nicotine and tobacco product use. We care about these adults, and we want to end nicotine and tobacco’s impact in these communities.
There are resources available for people who want to quit using NTPs, and science has proven that resources like the Tobacco Quitline help people quit. But even though these resources are available, young adults do not use them very often. Our goal for this research project is to have more young adults know about and use the statewide Quitline services – Quitline Iowa – by making Quitline Iowa easier to find, use, and share.
We are designing, conducting, and evaluating the project alongside young adults, our partners at Iowa Health and Human Services, and community organizations across the state.
Why do we want to work with adults 18-29 (young adults)?
Young adults are the heart of this project.
We believe in doing work for the community with the community. Working with young adults helps make sure that the needs and goals of young adults in Iowa are met.
Who is on the Research Team?
You can learn more about everyone who is a part of our research center here.
Questions?
Shoot us an email at ui-prc@uiowa.edu.
Join our Young Adult Advisory Board
The Young Adult Advisory Board (YAAB) is a group of community-oriented young adults who live, work, and/or spend time in Muscatine and are passionate about improving health in their community. This group will help guide our research and make sure our strategies to help young adults in Muscatine quit NTPs are as relevant and appropriate as possible.
What does participation look like?
You and a group of 5-8 of other young adults ages 18-29 will:
- meet every month (in person or virtually – up to the YAAB) for about an hour
- meet for 2 or 3 longer, in-person sessions in Muscatine to brainstorm and create content and strategies
We will convene from June – September 2026, and, if our project funding is renewed for the next year, continue the board.
Who can participate on the Young Adult Advisory Board?
We are looking for young adults who bring a variety of life experiences and identities and a passion for their community. You can participate if you:
- Are 18-29 years old
- Live, work, or spend time in Muscatine
- Have experience with nicotine and tobacco products. This can be your own experiences using these products, growing up with family members using them, having friends who use them, or other experiences that have shaped the way you see the products.
We will be spending time talking about quitting nicotine and tobacco products, but you don’t have to want to quit to attend.
What will I get out of participating?
We hope that participating on the YAAB will bring value to you personally and professionally. You will:
- Influence a large research study and support the health of young adults in Muscatine and across Iowa
- Be in community with other young adults
- Practice transferable skills like public speaking, leadership, and advocacy
- Be compensated for your time!
Interested? Email Loulwa at loulwa-soweid@uiowa.edu.
Join a co-creation workshop
Co-creation workshops are one-time events during which we will work together to identify the role of nicotine and tobacco products in the lives of young adults in Muscatine, reasons why the Quitline isn’t being used, and how to help more people learn about and use the Quitline!
What can I expect?
You and a group of other adults ages 18-29 will meet in a community venue to share stories and work together to create ideas for supporting adults like you and your friends to quit using nicotine and tobacco. We will provide food. Before the event, we will ask about accommodations that will help you participate fully.
Who can participate in these workshops?
We are looking for young adults who bring a variety of life experiences and identities and a passion for their community. You can participate if you:
- Are 18-29 years old
- Live, work, and/or spend time in Muscatine
- Have experience with nicotine and tobacco products. This can be your own experiences using these products, growing up with family members using them, having friends who use them, or other experiences that have shaped the way you see the products.
What will I get out of participating?
We hope participating in a workshop will bring value to you personally and professionally. You will:
- Influence a large research study and support the health of young adults in Muscatine and across Iowa
- Be in community with other young adults
- Practice transferable skills like public speaking, leadership, and advocacy
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! Please have them reach out to us in advance and let us know you want to participate together.
Interested? Email Loulwa at loulwa-soweid@uiowa.edu to add your name to the list, and we will reach out with details.
Want us to come to you? Do you have a club or group that wants to participate together? We can bring a co-design workshop to you! Send an email to loulwa-soweid@uiowa.edu.
Share Quitline materials and messages about Quitline
Follow the Quad Cities Instagram @tobaccofreeqc
Share this one page summary of the Quitline with your friends
Share Quitline's teen resource My Life My Quit with teens you know