Smoking in Ames, Iowa

[elliotks]

I have recently begun to explore the wonderful hobby of pipe smoking and I have just fallen in love with it. My current smoking situation is somewhat restricted as I live with my parents and they do not know I smoke. I do not intend on telling them until after I have left for Iowa State University. I know their concern will come from a place of love and not anger, but it is just easier to wait until I leave. :wink:
Anyhow, this upcoming Fall I will be heading to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. I have been counting down the days until I can smoke when I want, where I want, and smoke in comfort. However I just found out that Iowa State has a full smoking ban in place and no smoker friendly facilities (B&Ms, Coffee Shops, Cigar lounges) within an hours distance of Ames!
Now I turn to this friendly community to ask if there are any pipe smokers around Ames, Iowa that have any suggestions on good locations that are smoke friendly.
Thanks in advance!
Elliot

 

[mso489]

I think you need to scout landlords, to find out if you can live somewhere that permits smoking, or smoking in the yard at least. At a campus, probably campus town establishments won't allow it. However, Ames is out on the prairie, I believe, so I'd posit that there are at least small towns that are easygoing about pipe smoking. But I don't know the territory, so better ask around.

 

[elbert]

Hey elliott.
I don't know about Ames specifically, but Iowa generally (like many other cities/states) has a Smoke-free Air Act--I understand this to mean that any workplace must be smokefree, with the exception of casinos and shops that derive a certain portion of their income from tobacco sales.
Good luck though, I hope you find something.

-josh

 

[fishfly]

To the best of my knowledge (I've been an Iowa resident since 1946--mostly) off-campus and outdoors, you may smoke where you wish. Eight months out of the year, "outside" is reasonable in Iowa. Suggest you take up walking.
Winter is another matter altogether. Ames is in southern Iowa, so has a somewhat milder climate than I'm used to, but I'm sure it gets below zero (F) for more than a few days during winter. Suggest you find a friend (preferably of a compatible gender) with a warm place to smoke. Or buy a warm parka, thick gloves, and a seriously silly fur hat.
Good luck in college. Iowa State is a fine school.

 

[elbert]

Fishfly is on point--I took most of the winter off. I would always be looking at the ten day forecast for a glimmer of hope as to when I could smoke again!
It's spring now, you can be sure I'm making the most of it. ::

 

[snagstangl]

There is a pipe shop in des moines about 45 minutes or less from there. There is also a pipe club out of des moines as well that meets once a month and it is made of members of this forum.

 

[elliotks]

Thanks guys for the advice! I was thinking along the same lines as Fishfly, making a ritual of walking and smoking. I hope I can find a fellow pipe smoker that isn't on campus to hole up with during the winter. No smoking allowed anywhere on campus!