Tobacco

Penalties

Clerks & Retailers

A CLERK that sells cigarettes or tobacco products to an underage person WILL BE CHARGED WITH A SIMPLE MISDEMEANOR AND WILL FACE THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:

  • 1st violation = $100 fine
  • 2nd violation = $250 fine
  • 3rd and subsequent violations = $500 fine

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.How to Apply Current Law on Tobacco Vending Machines(April 1998)

A RETAILER that sells cigarettes or tobacco 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 18

A PERSON UNDER AGE 18 in possession or attempting to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products WILL FACE THE FOLLOWING CIVIL PENALTIES:

  • 1st offense = $50 (plus 8 hours of community service)
  • 2nd offense = $100 (plus 12 hours of
    community service)
  • 3rd and subsequent offenses = $250 (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 cigarettes or tobacco 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 Alcoholic Beverages Division of the Iowa Department of Commerce.