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

Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. School Resource Officer Kyle Keller tells KNIA/KRLS News Knoxville Officers will be conducting compliance checks on local establishments. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%. By participating in the program, the Knoxville Police Department has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more in 2018. Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for third and subsequent offenses.