Easy access: identification verification and shipping methods used by online vape shops.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Tobacco Control
• E-commerce Regulation

Background:

• Online vape shops (OVSs) are a growing source for tobacco products.
• Concerns exist regarding the accessibility of these products to underage individuals.
• Existing regulations may not adequately address online sales channels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the identification verification processes of OVSs.
• To determine the shipping practices of OVSs within the United States.
• To identify potential compliance issues with tobacco sales regulations.

Main Methods:

• Conducted online searches to identify popular OVSs in January 2023.
• Coded website features related to age verification and shipping policies.
• Assessed ID verification at checkout and shipping carrier usage.

Main Results:

• Most OVSs (76.6%) allow self-reported age verification (e.g., typing birthday).
• A significant majority (76.3%) of shipping OVSs allow checkout without ID verification.
• The US Postal Service, a restricted carrier for tobacco, was frequently used (n=23).

Conclusions:

• OVSs' reliance on self-certification poses a risk for underage access to vaping products.
• Current practices indicate non-compliance with regulations like the Preventing All Cigarette Trafficking Act.
• Regulatory bodies should enhance surveillance and penalties for OVSs.