The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division throughout the month of February to keep nicotine products out of the hands of underage individuals. The program, known as I-PLEDGE, works with local retailers to ensure they know and enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. In the 22 years since its inception, the program has improved Iowa’s statewide tobacco compliance rate to approximately 90 percent. Sheriff, Marty Arganbright, says, “[This] training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales. The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.” Participating locations will receive I-PLEDGE certification, which serves as protection against civil liability if an illegal sale does occur. Law enforcement will be conducting regular checks with fines of up to $645 possible for establishments found to have sold age-restricted items to a minor. I-PLEDGE certification records are available online through the link included below.
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https://abd.iowa.gov/
