The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office recently announced its participation in the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division’s I-PLEDGE program, which aims to reduce the sale of tobacco to minors by educating and working with retailers. I-PLEDGE is a voluntary program for retailers that sell tobacco products. By participating in the program, retailers agree to follow certain guidelines, such as properly checking IDs and refusing to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. The program also provides resources and training to help retailers comply with the guidelines. Sheriff Marty Arganbright says, “I-PLEDGE’s retailer 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.” The Alcoholic Beverages Division’s I-PLEDGE program has been in place since 2000 and has led to a statewide compliance rate of 91 percent. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office encourages all retailers in the county that sell tobacco products to participate in the I-PLEDGE program. Retailers who participate in the program will receive a certificate of recognition and will be listed on the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division’s website as a responsible retailer.
