Iowa Pledge (I-PLEDGE) allows employees to go through training and receive a certificate upon completion of the training. Prospective employees can also complete the training.Establishments that participate in I-PLEDGE may avoid civil prosecution in the event a tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor product sale to a minor violation occurs in your place of business. This reprieve can be used once in a four year period. This is called an affirmative defense.In order for the business to take advantage of the affirmative defense, these things must apply:The guilty employee must be I-PLEDGE certified before the offense occurred.The affirmative defense does not apply if the employee sold to a minor under the age of 18 years.Only the business is eligible to avoid a civil penalty.The guilty employee will be subject to a fine and the I-PLEDGE certification for the employee will be revoked.Why should you participate in I-PLEDGE?The goal of I-PLEDGE is to increase voluntary compliance with Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products laws through education and enforcement. The core aim of the program is to prevent illegal sales of tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products by:Educating tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products sellers.Increasing awareness of changes in Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products laws.What will you learn from I-PLEDGE?The program focuses on: Identifying key elements of the current Iowa driver’s license.Key elements of the state’s official identification card.How to prevent underage sales.I-PLEDGE also covers:Valid forms of identification.How to spot altered or fake IDs.Participants will learn:How to prevent underage sales.Techniques to refuse the sale of tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products with minimal confrontation.Who should take the I-PLEDGE?All individuals who sell tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products.Holders of retail tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products permits.Anyone who is interested in taking the training.The program asks that a PLEDGE be made for:Iowa’s kids to not use tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products. Iowa’s retailers to not sell tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to kids.Iowa’s law enforcement to enforce tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products laws in the state.Take the training and get certified today!