The Knoxville Police Department has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of Knoxville underage persons.

Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Department of Revenue to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product laws. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to exceed 90 percent. I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course, then pass an exam will be I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty, if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. 

Officers will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the program, with underage customers under the supervision of law enforcement officials entering establishments to attempt to buy tobacco products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot. Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $135 fine for the first offense, a $325 fine for the second offense, and a $645 fine for a third and subsequent offense.