State Revs Up Smoking Tailpipe Program

DES MOINES--Airwaves and billboards will carry educational messages this summer to promote efforts to help repair vehicles with smoking tailpipes, save fuel and maintain good air quality, DNR officials announced today.

The summer campaign will promote the phone number “1-888-END-SMOG,” citizens can call with Iowa license numbers of vehicles with excessive exhaust. Vehicle owners are then sent educational materials to help them identify likely mechanical problems and solutions. Coupons for discount vehicle service and parts from nearly 500 locations statewide are also included.

The program began last year with over 2,000 reports made so far and a 45 percent voluntary repair rate. This year nearly 500 additional locations statewide will participate in offering discount rates for service and parts for repairs thanks to NAPA Auto Parts Stores and NAPA AutoCare Centers.

“Motorists can make educated, voluntary decisions about what to do,” said Brian Button, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources. He said that nearly half of owners take action after learning repairs can avoid costly engine damage, losses in resale value, damaged parts, decreased engine life, and fuel waste. “With high fuel prices, we think people will have an added incentive this year to make repairs,” he said.

The media campaign kicks off June 7 and runs through September with billboards in the Des Moines metro and eastern Iowa cities and radio concentrated in those areas and statewide.

“Over half of all vehicle emissions come from just 10 percent of vehicles on the road–those with smoking tailpipes,” said Button.

“For infants, children, the elderly and persons with asthma, maintaining good air quality is vital for health and disease prevention.” He said those groups are most susceptible to air contaminants such as vehicle related smog, soot and toxins.

“Some repairs are simple and inexpensive, such as changing clogged air filters and tune-ups. Other repairs may be more extensive, but at least the vehicle owner will have information to make an educated decision on whether to make repairs,” he said.

Several states have programs to reduce excessively emitting vehicles, but Iowa is the only state to offer coupons. “Iowans correctly recognize vehicles as a major emission source,” said Button.

The campaign is grant funded and does not use state general funds.

For more information contact Brian Button at 515-281-7832.