The Sigourney Police Department has joined a statewide program aimed at keeping tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of minors.
The department has taken the I-PLEDGE pledge, a partnership with the Iowa Department of Revenue to educate local retailers and enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product laws. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to exceed 90 percent.
Chief Adam Clark said the retailer training component is a key part of the program.
“I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product sales,” Chief Clark said. “The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”
The program places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE-certified, which allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale.
Officers will also conduct compliance checks on local establishments as part of the program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products. Clerks who make an illegal sale will be cited on the spot.
Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products to a minor include a $135 fine for a first offense, a $325 fine for a second offense, and a $645 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, the department said handing out citations is not the intent of the program.
“By partnering with the Iowa Department of Revenue, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community,” Chief Clark said. “Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of underage persons in Iowa.”
Clerks can take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records at revenue.iowa.gov.
