Newton Police Department accepts Iowa Pledge to fight tobacco use among youth

Special to the Daily News

The Newton Police Department has taken a pledge to keep tobacco out of the hands of Newton youth. It’s called the Iowa Pledge, and it’s a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (Iowa ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco laws. The Iowa Pledge Program has helped increase statewide tobacco compliance by 22 percent since it began in 2000. By partnering with the Iowa ABD the Newton Police Department will look to do its part in continuing the upward trend. Throughout the next year, Newton officers will be offering free monthly Iowa Pledge Retailer Certification Classes to local tobacco retailers where clerks will learn the fundamentals of Iowa’s tobacco laws, as well as how to calculate a customer’s age and effectively refuse illegal sales. Clerks who successfully complete an online exam will be Iowa Pledge Certified and the retail establishment will receive an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. “The Iowa Pledge Retailer Certification Classes are a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco sales,” Newton Police Chief Thomas Wardlow said. “The classes will help retailers maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.” Also as a part of the Iowa Pledge Program, Newton Officers will be conducting compliance checks on local establishments. Underage customers under the supervision of law enforcement officers will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot. Criminal penalties for selling tobacco to a minor include a $100 fine for the first offense, a $250 fine for the second offense and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses. Handing out citations, however, is not the intent of the Iowa Pledge Program. “By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community,” Chief Thomas Wardlow said. “Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.”