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 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 this program, the Knoxville Police Department has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more. I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course, then pass an exam, will become 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. Criminal penalties for selling these products to a minor include a $135 fine for a first offense, a $325 fine for a second offense, and a $645 fine for third and subsequent offenses.