The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division for Tobacco, Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Product Evaluation and Enforcement. Members of the department have taken an oath to help keep tobacco, nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of area youth in a program known as I-PLEDGE. This places emphasis on retailer training, and local clerks who complete an online training course and pass an exam will become certified. This also allows the retail establishments to use affirmative defense against civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. Guthrie County Sheriff, Marty Arganbright, says through this partnership, they are hoping to maintain a compliant retail environment in their communities. “Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth,” he adds. Deputies will conduct compliance checks as part of the program, during which underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement, enter an establishment and attempt to buy tobacco and related products. Clerks who make an illegal sale will be cited on the spot.