A. Prohibition; Penalties: No person shall sell, give or otherwise supply any tobacco, tobacco products or cigarettes to any person under eighteen (18) years of age. The provision of this section includes prohibiting a minor from purchasing cigarettes or tobacco products from a vending machine. If a retailer or employee of a retailer violates the provisions of this section, the council shall, after written notice and hearing, and in addition to the other penalties fixed for such violation, assess the following:
1. For a first violation, the retailer shall be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of three hundred dollars ($300.00). Failure to pay the civil penalty as ordered under this subsection shall result in automatic suspension of the permit for a period of fourteen (14) days.
2. For a second violation within a period of two (2) years, the retailer shall be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) or the retailer's permit shall be suspended for a period of thirty (30) days. The retailer may select its preference in the penalty to be applied under this subsection.
3. For a third violation within a period of three (3) years, the retailer shall be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) and the retailer's permit shall be suspended for a period of thirty (30) days.
4. For a fourth violation within a period of three (3) years, the retailer shall be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) and the retailer's permit shall be suspended for a period of sixty (60) days.
5. For a fifth violation with a period of four (4) years, the retailer's permit shall be revoked.
B. Notice Of Violation And Hearing Date To Retailer: The clerk shall give ten (10) days' written notice to the retailer by mailing a copy of the notice to the place of business as it appears on the application for a permit. The notice shall state the reason for the contemplated action and the time and place at which the retailer may appear and be heard. (2000 Code § 121.07)
(Code of Iowa, Secs. 453A.2, 453A.22 and 453A.36[6])