SCPD works to keep vapes from kids

Vapor devices or “vapes” come in various designs. Their popularity with kids has grown significantly over the years.

The Sioux City Police Department has seen a trend of increased nicotine alternative and vapor or “vapes” products among teens. Vapor products or “vapes” are electronic devices used to heat a liquid to an aerosol or vapor which is inhaled by the user.

Iowa law prohibits persons under the age of 18 from purchasing or possessing not only tobacco products but also nicotine alternatives and vapor products.

Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1 of this year, 126 citations have been issued to teens for possessing tobacco, nicotine alternative, or vapor products. Of those citations, 104 have been for possessing vapor products used for vaping. Fines for underage possession of these products start at $50 for a first offense and increase up to $150 for subsequent offenses.

As part of an effort to keep these products from teens, the SCPD is participating in the Iowa Alcohol Beverage Division’s (ABD) I-PLEDGE initiative. The ABD created the initiative as an effort to get 100% compliance with Iowa’s laws on selling these products by retailers. ABD offers free training to retailers and their employees on preventing sells of tobacco, nicotine alternatives, and vapor products to minors.

In addition to the training, the SCPD is also in process of checking compliance with Iowa laws by retailers. Officers with the Special Investigations Unit will be sending people under 18 into stores to attempted to purchase these products. The teens are instructed to show their ID if requested and steps are taken to make no effort to mislead sales clerks. Should a clerk sell to a minor, they will be issued a citation fining them $100.

The goal of the checks is to obtain 100% compliance by retailers. The ABD reports that statewide, there is a 91% compliance rate.

Parents can also help in this effort by not allowing teens to purchase or possess vapor products or the pods and vape juices associated with them. We also encourage them to discuss the health risks associated with using these products to include addiction to nicotine.

Retailers interested in completing i-PLEDGE Retailer Certification can do so at the following link https://ipocp.iowaabd.com/portal.

Information to inform parent and help them talk to their kids about vaping can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm.

“Vape Juice” are liquids added to vapor devices and usually contain nicotine. They are flavored which research suggests helps attract kids to these products.

Vapor devices or “vapes” come in various styles. They all have to be charged and have a liquid added to them.

Vapor devices or “vapes” may look like a thumb drive to some people not familiar with.

Vapor devices or “vapes” may look like a thumb drive to some people not familiar with.

Vapor devices or “vapes” may look like a thumb drive to some people not familiar with.

Some vapor devices can be charge via USB ports.

Sioux City Police Department to partner with Iowa Alcohol Beverages Division for tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product education and enforcement

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

Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcohol 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 Sioux City Police Department has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.

I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online training course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale.

“I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product sales,” said Chief Rex Mueller. “The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”

Officers will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as part of the I-PLEDGE as part of the I-PLEDGE program. 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.

Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products to a minor include $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense, and a $500 fine for a third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is the intent of the I-PLEDGE program. It is the sincere hope of the department that all clerks are found to be in compliance with Iowa laws and refuse to sell tobacco products, nicotine alternative, and vapor products to minors.

“By partnering with the Alcohol Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community,” said Mueller. “Moreover, it is our pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of Sioux City’s youth.

To tale the I-PLEDGE training or search certification records, go to https://abd.iowa.gov/.