Sibley, Iowa — The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reports that they have again taken a pledge to keep tobacco and related products out of the hands of Osceola County youth.
Known as I-Pledge, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division to educate local retailers and to enforce the law. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office says that by participating in the program, they committed to do their part. Deputies conducted compliance checks on local establishments throughout Osceola County as part of the I-PLEDGE program. This year’s underage illegal sales checks were 100% compliant.
The Alcoholic Beverages Division says I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale.
They tell us that 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 sheriff’s office tells us that underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale are cited on the spot.
Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, the sheriff’s office says handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.
By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, they say they hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community. Moreover, they tell us they are pledging to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.
To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records they advise that retailers and employees can visit https://abd.iowa.gov/.
