Lang
11/27/19
The city of North Liberty has announced it will begin tobacco compliance checks on the city’s businesses.
In a news release, city officials say North Liberty Police are partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division for a program called “I-PLEDGE”, which aims 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 percent.
Clerks who successfully complete an online I-PLEDGE 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.
Officers 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.
There is no indication of how soon the training and checks will begin.