Making a List and Checking it Twice — State's Tobacco Enforcement Effort Underway

Des Moines, Iowa (December 20, 2000) – In an effort to reduce illegal sales of tobacco products to Iowa’s kids, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) announced today that compliance checks of the state’s 6,000 tobacco retailers are now underway.

Lynn Walding, ABD Administrator, indicated that, in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, every tobacco outlet in Iowa will be checked at least twice in the coming months. “We’re making a list and checking it twice, we’re going to find out who’s naughty and nice,” Walding said. “And, unlike in the past, retailers found in non-compliance will be cited and fined.”

First violations for illegal sales of tobacco to minors include a $100 fine to the clerk, as well as a $300 fine to the retail establishment. Subsequent violations result in higher fines, as well as temporary and permanent loss of the retail license. Minors under the age of 18 are also subject to fines and community service if found using, attempting to purchase or in possession of tobacco products.

The enforcement effort is the next step in a comprehensive program aimed at reducing youth access to tobacco. “In recent months, the Iowa Pledge Program was introduced to retailers and local law enforcement agencies across the state,” Walding said. “The Iowa Pledge Program is designed to ask kids to take the Pledge to not use tobacco products, for retailers to Pledge to not sell tobacco to minors, and for law enforcement to Pledge to uphold Iowa’s tobacco laws.”

The focus of the program, to date, has been on alerting and educating retailers. Town Hall meetings and informational workshops were held recently to educate the retail and law enforcement communities about the Iowa Pledge Program and the state’s new tobacco laws. The Iowa Tobacco Advisory Committee (ITAComm), a retail advisory panel, was also formed to provide guidance and support for the statewide effort.

“We’re very pleased with both the retail and law enforcement reaction to the Iowa Pledge Program,” Walding said. “By partnering with the communities, retailers are more aware and informed of the changes in the law, and work with employees to ensure illegal sales are not made. The overall goal of the program is compliance with the state’s tobacco laws, not the issuance of citations. Simply put, retailers need to be part of the solution, not the problem.”

Randy Meyer, Vice President, Krause Gentle Corporation and an ITAComm member, indicated that Kum and Go managers from across the state participated in the November retail training sessions. “We support the Iowa Pledge Program 100 percent and have taken the Pledge to not sell tobacco products to minors,” Meyer said. “We work with our managers and employees to educate them on the laws, appropriate ways to understand identification cards, and how to prevent illegal sales. It’s important to our company to keep tobacco out of the hands of minors – and for minors to know they have responsibility as well.”

Results of the compliance checks will be released as information becomes available. In the meantime, for additional information regarding the Iowa Pledge Program, call 866.IA.PLEDGE (866.427.5334).

Editors – for camera-ready artwork of the Iowa Pledge logo, please contact 866.IA.PLEDGE.