US: Retail Clerks Refuse Underage Tobacco/Nicotine Sales in County Wide Compliance Check

Source from:  heartland connection.com 12/04/2014

The Wapello County Sheriff's office has pledged to keep tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of the county's youth.

The program is called I-PLEDGE, and is a partnership between the Sheriff's office and the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD).

The emphasis of the program is on retailer training.

The department does "compliance checks" with county tobacco retailers to see if they're operating within the law.

On Saturday, law enforcement sent supervised, underage customers into Wapello county establishments to attempt to buy age restricted tobacco and nicotine products.

All clerks checked the minor's IDs and refused to make a sale.

Penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products to minors include $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses.

"I think the good thing about this, it helps the businesses in Wapello County to be aware that hey, we are checking on you, and this will keep tobacco products away from the young people in our community," said Chief Deputy Don Phillips, Wapello County.

The sheriff's office says that while they have been doing compliance checks for several years, new rules for selling vapor and alternative nicotine products can be confusing to retailers.

While it's not required, retail clerks are encouraged to complete an online training course to become I-PLEDGE certified. Enditem