The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division’s Iowa Pledge
Tobacco Education & Enforcement program kicked off the program
with enforcement at the 2000 Iowa State Fair with the assistance
of the Iowa State Patrol. Officers not only checked each tobacco
vendor at the Fair for compliance with Iowa’s tobacco laws—Officers
also cited youth for illegal possession of tobacco products. The
balanced enforcement reflects the three tenets of the Iowa
Pledge where law enforcement pledge to enforce
Iowa’s tobacco laws; retailers pledge to not
sell tobacco to kids; and kids pledge not to use tobacco
products.
The successful tobacco enforcement at the State Fair sparked interest
for such enforcement at other special events such as the 2001 Iowa
State Fair, the Clay County Fair, the Bix Festival, the Scott County
Fair and the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo. Participation
in enforcement at special events is limited to Iowa Pledge
law enforcement partners. The following Iowa Pledge
partners have participated in special events enforcement to date:
- Iowa State Fair – Iowa State Patrol
- Clay County Fair – Spencer PD and Clay County Sheriff’s
Office
- Bix Festival and Scott County Fair – Davenport PD and Scott
County Sheriff’s Office
- National Cattle Congress – Waterloo PD
The stepped up enforcement led to a visible reduction in the number
of youth smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products at such
events. During the 2001 State Fair, compliance was improved by more
than 50% throughout the last six days of the fair. The trend continued
in 2002, when the number of youth cited for tobacco possession at
the State Fair decreased by an additional 50% over the prior year.
To obtain additional information regarding special events tobacco
enforcement or to become an Iowa Pledge law enforcement
partner, please contact the Division toll-free at 866.IowaABD or e-mail
IAPledge@IowaABD.com. |
