Edited release
01/18/23
The Iowa City Police Department conducted tobacco sales law compliance checks last week at the 56 open businesses licensed to sell tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor products.
In a release from the city, underage persons entered the businesses accompanied by plainclothes officers over the period of January 10th through the 12th and attempted to illegally purchase these products.
Forty-seven businesses refused to sell tobacco, nicotine or vapor products to the underage buyers, with nine failing the compliance checks.
The employees who sold tobacco products to the underage buyers were each charged with Employee Providing Tobacco Products, Vapor, or Cigarettes to Anyone Under 21 Years of Age, a simple misdemeanor. Those charged can be fined $135 for the first offense. Violations may also result in civil penalties against the businesses.