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Iowa City revokes Almost Paradise cigarette permit after five compliance failures in four years
Summary
Council found two recent sales to an underage buyer and, citing prior violations, imposed a $1,500 civil penalty and a 60‑day retail cigarette permit suspension, then later revoked the retail cigarette permit after the fifth finding; council votes were 6–1 on each action.
The Iowa City Council found that employees at Almost Paradise sold tobacco or nicotine products to an underage buyer during compliance checks on May 29 and June 27, 2024 and, citing prior violations, approved enforcement actions including a civil penalty, a permit suspension and ultimately revocation of the retail cigarette permit.
Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Schwagarath told the council it must make an independent determination because the related criminal citations were dismissed in magistrate court for witness unavailability. Schwagarath cited Iowa Code provisions that govern employee sales to minors and the civil penalty…
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