Details

What is this project? 

Adults ages 18-29 who live in rural communities are disproportionately impacted by nicotine and tobacco product (NTP) 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, adults ages 18-29 do not use them very often. Our goal for this research project is to help more rural adults ages 18-29 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 rural young adults and our partners Iowa Health and Human Services, One Iowa (a statewide advocacy organization), and community organizations. 

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 will help make sure that the needs and goals of young adults in Iowa are met. We want to destabilize power hierarchies that exist in research so that the voices and priorities of our rural young adult community members are centered.

PEAQ Iowa: Peers Engaging to Amplify Quitline Iowa

Sign up to join us for a one-day event where we will work together to identify the role of nicotine and tobacco products in the lives of rural young adults, reasons why the Quitline isn’t being used, and how to help more people learn about the Quitline!

When: September 20, 2025

            10am-4pm

Where: Des Moines, IA

What: You and a group of 10-15 other adults ages 18-29 will meet in a community venue in Des Moines to share stories and work together to create ideas for supporting adults like you to quit using nicotine and tobacco. We will have food throughout the day and will provide you with an electronic gas gift card to help you get to Des Moines (see “How does compensation work?” below). Before the event, we will ask about accommodations that will help you participate fully. 

Who can participate in this workshop?

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 in Iowa, especially in a rural or micropolitan (less than 50,000 people) community
• 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 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. 

Interested? Sign up here!

Note, we can accommodate up to 15 people. If we have more than 15 eligible people sign up, we will have to select people to attend. We will use the information from the sign-up form to invite a group of people that reflect the variety of life experiences and identities in rural and micropolitan Iowa.

What will I get out of participating? 

We hope this workshop will bring value to you personally and professionally. You will:

• Influence a large research study and support the health of young adults in rural and micropolitan Iowa
• Be in community with other young adults
• Practice transferable skills like public speaking, leadership, and advocacy
• Be compensated for your time! (see “How does compensation work?” below)

How does compensation work? 

If you are invited to attend (see “Who can participate in this workshop?”), we will confirm you are available and ask about any dietary needs and other accommodations we can provide. After you confirm, we will send you a $20 electronic gas gift card to help you get to Des Moines. After you participate in the workshop, we will send you a $150 electronic gift card.

 

Can I bring a friend? 

Absolutely! Please both fill out the sign-up form and let us know that you want to come together (there is an open box at the end to share).

Who is on the Research Team? 

You can learn more about everyone who is a part of our research center here.

Summary

You sign up → We send invites by email → You confirm availability → We send you a $20 electronic gas gift card by email → We all attend PEAQ Iowa → We send you a $150 electronic gift card → Your ideas shape the research project!

Questions?

Shoot us an email at ui-prc@uiowa.edu.