Youth Tobacco Enforcement Effort to Kickoff at Iowa State Fair

Ankeny, Iowa (August 9, 2000) –Lynn Walding, Administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, announced today plans to step up tobacco enforcement efforts at the Iowa State Fair, kicking off a comprehensive statewide enforcement program aimed at reducing the use of tobacco products by youth.

The Alcoholic Beverages Division will coordinate the effort with the Iowa Department of Public Safety to provide two state troopers dedicated exclusively to patrol the State Fairgrounds and cite minors for illegal possession of cigarettes and other tobacco products. State troopers normally assigned to the State Fair will also be on the lookout for youth tobacco violators. First time offenders will be charged with a simple misdemeanor and are subject to a $50 fine and 8 hours of community service.

Troopers will also conduct compliance checks of tobacco retailers at the State Fair to ensure that tobacco products are not being made available to individuals under age 18. A first offense results in a $300 civil penalty to the cigarette permit holder.

Walding stated, “kicking off the youth tobacco enforcement effort at the State Fair is one component of Iowa’s comprehensive effort to discourage youth from the harmful health effects associated with tobacco use. Studies indicate that teens refraining from tobacco use are less likely to start smoking and better able to kick the habit if developed as adults.”