The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office and the Stuart Police Department is partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division to take a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of community youth.

The program known as I-PLEDGE educates local retailers to enforce the state’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training, and clerks who successfully complete an online training course and pass the exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. Stuart Police Chief David Reha says this training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse these illegal sales, and assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible business.

Reha says officers will be conducting compliance checks of local establishments, and clerks who make illegal sales will be cited. Fines issued for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor are $100 for first offense, $250 for second, and $500 for third and subsequent offenses.