Urbandale Police Partner with State in Tobacco Enforcement

Source from:  desmoinesregister.com REGISTER STAFF REPORTS • March 12, 2008 03/13/2008

The Urbandale Police Department is partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division to keep tobacco out of the hands of the city's youth. The police department is participating in the Iowa Pledge Program, which educates local tobacco retailers about the state's tobacco laws. Since it began in 2000, statewide tobacco compliance has increased by 22 percent, according to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division. As part of the program, Urbandale police will be offering free monthly certification classed to local tobacco retailers throughout the next year. Clerks will learn the fundamentals of Iowa's tobacco laws, as well as how to calculate a customer's age. Those who successfully complete an online exam will be certified and retailers will have an affirmative defense against civil penalty if a certified employee makes an illegal sale. "The Iowa Pledge Retailer Certification Classes are a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco sales," said Urbandale Police Chief Dave Hamlin in a press release. "The classes will help retailers maintain a compliant and responsible establishment." Officers will also be conducting compliance checks throughout the city as part of the program. Criminal penalties for selling tobacco to a minor include a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for a third and subsequent offense. Enditem