In California, a recent study from the University of California, San Diego, found that many online e-cigarette retailers are failing to comply with regulations regarding age verification, shipping methods, and flavor restrictions. This noncompliance makes it easier for young people to access these products, despite strict laws aimed at limiting their use.
Study methodology
The researchers asked 16 participants to make online purchases of flavored vaping products from 78 different retailers, with home delivery. Eight participants resided in San Diego, where a city ordinance prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco, including online. The other eight came from areas of San Diego County without such restrictions.
Worrying results
Of 156 attempted purchases, 73% were accepted and 67% resulted in delivery. Of those deliveries, 81% were made by the United States Postal Service (USPS), despite a federal ban on shipping vaping products through the service. Additionally, 9% of deliveries were made by carriers such as UPS and FedEx, which prohibit shipping these products.
Failure in age verification
The study highlights a near-total lack of age verification during delivery: only 1% of shoppers had their ID scanned, while 78% had no interaction with the delivery person. About 15% had contact without ID verification, and 6% presented an ID without it being scanned.
Consequences and recommendations
These failings put young people at increased risk of accessing vaping products. The American Lung Association’s director points out that ineffective online age checks and postal service non-compliance with the laws are exacerbating the problem. In France, similar observations were made by the National Committee Against Smoking (CNCT), revealing that 80% of online vaping product sales sites do not indicate the ban on sales to minors, and that only one site has a reinforced control system.
It is imperative that monitoring and enforcement of online tobacco retailers be strengthened to protect young people and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
