The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division for Tobacco, Alternative Nicotine and Vapor Product Education and Enforcement known as I-Pledge. The goal of the program is to keep those products out of the hands of underage persons in Louisa County by educating local retailers to enforce product laws. Since the inception of this program in 2000, statewide tobacco compliance rates have grown to 95%. Clerks who complete the online training course and pass an exam will become I-Pledge certified which allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the clerk makes an illegal sale. According to Louisa County Sheriff Brad Turner, Louisa County deputies will conduct compliance checks on local establishments in conjunction with the program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy the products. Clerks who make the sale will be cited on the spot. More information can be found at abd.iowa.gov.