The Perry Police Department is striving to protect youth from an addictive drug with a program that they are participating in this year.

According to Police Chief Jim Archer, the department is partnering with the Iowa Department of Revenue to educate and enforce the dangers of tobacco use as well as alternative nicotine and vapor products. He notes that the initiative is known as the I-PLEDGE program and focuses on retailer training to keep those types of products out of the hands of youth. Archer states for clerks to be I-PLEDGE certified, they will need to complete an online training course, pass an exam, which in turn will give the retail establishment an opportunity to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk does make an illegal sale.

Archer stresses that during the I-PLEDGE program, officers will be conducting compliance checks of local establishments, and purposely sending underage customers, with law enforcement’s supervision, to attempt to buy tobacco or alternative nicotine products. He says that clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited immediately on the spot. The fines for illegally selling to a minor are $135 for the first offense, $325 for the second offense, and $645 for the third or subsequent offenses. To participate in the I-PLEDGE training program, click here.