Lang
2/10/25
The Iowa City Police Department conducted tobacco sales law compliance checks from January 31st to February 6th at the 59 businesses in the city licensed to sell tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor products. Working with plainclothes officers, underage persons entered the businesses and attempted to illegally purchase such products.
Ten businesses checked by police sold to the underage buyers. The businesses that failed the compliance checks were:
- Hy Vee, 1720 Waterfront Drive
- The Crown Liquor, 324 E. Washington St.
- The Smokin Outlet Tobacco and Vapor Shop, 221-223 S. Gilbert St.
- Almost Paradise Mini, 125 S. Dubuque St.
- Hawkeye Smoke & Liquor, 108 E. College St.
- Casey’s, 204 N. Dubuque St.
- Casey’s, 206 E. Benton St.
- Casey’s, 1410 Willow Creek Drive
- Casey’s, 2410 Mormon Trek Blvd.
- Essentials Vape and Smoke Shop, 560 Highway 1 W
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.” An employee convicted of selling tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age is guilty of a simple misdemeanor, punishable with a $135 fine for the first offense. Additionally, the violations may result in civil penalties against the tobacco licenses.