NICOLE WEIS | The Daily Nonpareil

CARTER LAKE - The Carter Lake Police Department is doing its part to help increase the statewide tobacco compliance rate.

In partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, the CLPD has provided, and will continue to offer, free classes to educate local retailers on Iowa's tobacco laws through the Iowa Pledge Program.

In a recent compliance check of five local establishments in Carter Lake, all refused tobacco sales to minors. Reserve officer Mike Dargy credits the Iowa Pledge program for the 100 percent compliance rate.

"It teaches (clerks) about the laws regarding tobacco, and the repercussions of the laws for them and the business," Dargy said. "It also teaches clerks what to look for when somebody presents an ID and how to refuse a sale."

The Iowa Pledge Program has helped increase the statewide tobacco compliance rate from approximately 50 percent to 90 percent since it began in 2000. The administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, Lynn Walding, is hoping to continue the upward trend with the more Iowa Pledge retailer certification classes.

"The ultimate overall goal of the program is compliance," he said. "We feel education is the best way to get there."

According to Dargy, approximately 50 percent of completed sales to minors are situations in which the minor presents an ID of someone who is not of age, but the clerk still sold the tobacco product.

"Just because a minor gives you an ID doesn't necessarily mean it's them, and it doesn't mean they're old enough to purchase," Dargy said.

Not only does completion of the program prepare retailers for minors attempting to purchase tobacco, it also gives them one "get out of jail free" card.

"The business gets a one time freebie, so to speak, on having to pay a fine (if an illegal sale is made) because a clerk attended the class," Dargy said.

While the clerk will still be cited, the retailer does not incur a penalty, Walding said, adding that most employees - with training - won't make illegal sales.

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.

"No. 1, (the program) helps keep tobacco products out of the hands of minors, and obviously helps clerks by preventing them from running into trouble being cited for selling to a minor," Dargy emphasized. "It also helps business from incurring any types of fines."

Though compliance checks are part of the program, Dargy said they are performed in a fair and reasonable manner.

"The program has some guidelines to make sure it is fair," he said. "We try not to send someone in who looks like they're older than they appear. We try not to fool anybody.

"If the clerk asks for ID, it is that person's ID; and it's going to show they're underage," he continued. "They can check the date easily, and see (the minor) is not old enough."

Dargy added that a lot of the information discussed in the class can also be used when it comes to alcohol sales.

The next class offered by the CLPD will be held in April.