Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know
Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division

Legal Resources

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Tobacco
  3. Legal Resources

Penalties

Clerks

CLERK that sells tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to an underage person WILL BE CHARGED WITH A SIMPLE MISDEMEANOR AND WILL FACE THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

  • 1st Offense: $135.00 plus surcharge and court costs 
  • 2nd Offense: $325.00 plus surcharge and court costs
  • 3rd Offense: $645.00 plus surcharge and court costs

A CLERK MAY SEIZE A FALSE OR ALTERED DRIVER’S LICENSE OR NON-OPERATOR’S IDENTIFICATION CARD, turn it over to law enforcement officials within 24 hours, and must issue a receipt to the license’s owner.

Retailers

RETAILER that sells tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to an underage person WILL FACE THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

  • 1st violation = $300 civil penalty
  • 2nd violation (within 2 years) = $1,500 fine OR 30-day suspension
  • 3rd violation (within 3 years) = $1,500 AND 30-day suspension
  • 4th violation (within 3 years) = $1,500 AND 60-day suspension
  • 5th violation (within 4 years) = Revocation

Persons Under Age 21

PERSON UNDER AGE 21 in possession or attempting to purchase tobacco, alternative nicotine or vapor products WILL FACE THE FOLLOWING CIVIL PENALTIES:

  • 1st offense = $70 (plus 8 hours of community service)
  • 2nd offense = $135 (plus 12 hours of community service)
  • 3rd and subsequent offenses = $325 (plus 16 hours of community service)

AN UNDERAGE PERSON that uses a false or altered driver’s license or non-operator’s identification card to purchase tobacco, alternative nicotine or vapor products WILL ALSO BE CHARGED WITH A SIMPLE MISDEMEANOR (up to a $100 fine).

Permission is hereby granted to reprint this document with acknowledgement to the Iowa Department of Revenue, Alcoholic Beverages Division.

For further information regarding tobacco laws, please refer to Iowa Code Chapter 453A.