Iowa: Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Launches Mobile Application to Help Validate Age to Purchase

Source: IABD

February 3, 2019

The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) announced today it has released a mobile application to help retailers determine the age of customers attempting to purchase alcohol, tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products.

“This app is an attempt to utilize technology to provide cost-effective tools to license and permit holders to help keep alcohol, tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth,” said ABD Administrator Stephen Larson.

The Iowa ABD Age to Purchase App allows users to scan driver’s licenses with their smartphone. No personal information of the customer is stored on the device. The built-in scanning function uses the camera feature on the device to scan the barcode on the driver’s license to quickly help determine age and validity. The app also gives users access to a view similar to the desktop calendars previously issued by ABD.

Drake University piloted a test version of the mobile app at home basketball games this season. Sodexo Drake University General Manager Aaron Knutson said, “The app has worked great for us. It has been easy to use and we have been very pleased with it so far.”

Additional features include links to ABD’s two online training programs, I-Pact and I-Pledge, which help teach responsible selling and serving of alcohol, tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products.

The Iowa ABD Age to Purchase App is available to download for free from the App Store and Google Play Store. 

App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iowa-abd-age-to-purchase/id1437250743?ls=1&mt=8

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.iowaabd.agetopurchase