MASON CITY – The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Cerro Gordo County youth. Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to 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 91%. By participating in the program, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.
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. “I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales,” Sheriff Kevin Pals said. “The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.” Cerro Gordo County deputies will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE 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 the illegal sale will be 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, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program. “By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community,” Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals said. “Moreover, we pledge 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 go to https://abd.iowa.gov/ .
Illinois will start selling marijuana vape cartridges in the coming year. Obviously these will make there way across the river to Iowa. It appears there is no way to tell them apart from the tobacco cartridges except by smell. People vape in cars, bars, and the outdoors. How will a person be able to tell the difference from afar. This needs to be addressed. Vaping is very popular nation wide and growing. Now it will include dope. It’s a crazy world.
In my opinion the best way to address this is to legalize Marijuana in Iowa. Then you wont have to worry about how you are going to tell the difference from afar.
Someday Iowa will get out of the dark ages.
maybe you need to move into the light
*he said light, as in, light up.