The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has once again taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Marion County’s 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. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%. By participating in the program, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office pledge comes following a recent nationwide ban on all flavored vape products as well as the increase in the legal age to purchase and use tobacco products from 18 to 21. By partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, they hope to educate local clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in Marion County. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office joins the Knoxville Police Department who also took the pledge this past December.