The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office has joined the I-Pledge program. This is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division to educate local retailers and enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product laws. I-Pledge places an emphasis on retailer training as clerks are given an online training course and an exam to pass to become I-Pledge certified. Establishments with qualified clerks are able to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale. Deputies in the county will also be making compliance checks on businesses. These checks are conducted under the supervision of local authorities by underage customers who will attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Fines for these offenses range from $100 for first time violators up to $500 for third and subsequent citations. Since the program’s inception in 2000, statewide tobacco compliance has grown to 91%.