The Storm Lake Police Department is continuing its involvement with the I-PLEDGE program.
The program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, and is designed to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product laws. The program started in the year 2000. Since the program’s inception, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 95 percent. A news release states that the Storm Lake PD is committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.
I-PLEDGE emphasizes 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 retailer training helps clerks 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.
Officers will be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the 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.
Go to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division website to take I-PLEDGE training or search certification records.
