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Tobacco cop: Most businesses abiding by law 

A lead enforcer of Iowa's tobacco compliance effort said Wednesday most businesses are abiding by state laws ensuring smoke-free workplaces and a ban on minors buying cigarettes.

"We're seeing outstanding compliance by the Iowa businesses," said Lynn Walding, administrator of the alcoholic beverages division within the state Department of Commerce.

Spot enforcement checks at Iowa establishments that sell tobacco products found 92 percent compliance with the state law prohibiting sales of cigarettes or other tobacco products to minors under the age of 18 during fiscal 2009. That was unchanged from the previous year but in stark contrast to the 50 percent compliance rate in 1995 before state officials stepped up enforcement to meet a federally mandated 70 percent compliance threshold, he said.

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