State officials are beginning their latest effort to crack down on underage smokers at the Iowa State Fair. The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division is coordinating the program. Division Administrator Lynn Walding says it’s a concentrated effort to catch violators. They’ll use two state troopers to exclusively look for underage smokers.Walding says they’ll also conduct checks on tobacco retailers at the fair to ensure they aren’t selling tobacco to anyone under the age of 18. He says the State Fair checks are the beginning of a “stepped up” enforcement program.Walding says the effort will continue outside the State Fair gates once the fair ends its 11-day run.He says both the seller and the buyer face charges when a minor is caught buying tobacco.The minor faces a 50-dollar fine and eight hours of community service. The retailer faces a 300-dollar civil penalty. Walding says studies show if they can prevent teens from smoking, they’re less likely to smoke later in life.
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