Key facts
- Shopify has instructed users to remove all vape products from their online stores.
- The company cited changes in legal restrictions on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).
- Merchants had a deadline of July 8 to comply or risk store suspension.
- The new policy applies globally to all vape products.
- The move was prompted by pressure from U.S. state and city law enforcement authorities.
E-commerce platform Shopify has instructed its customers to remove all vape products from their online stores, according to a notice seen by Reuters and confirmed by the company. The policy change, effective globally, cites changes in legal restrictions on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).
Merchants were given a deadline of July 8 to remove all e-cigarette products or face potential store suspension or termination. This decision follows pressure from a coalition of U.S. state and city law enforcement authorities, including attorneys general from California, Illinois, and Arizona, and authorities in New York City, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The coalition has been concerned about the widespread sale of illegal vapes through websites hosted on Shopify's platform.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who co-led the coalition, stated that the change will help significantly reduce the sale of illegal nicotine products and that they will continue to hold companies accountable to protect public health. Shopify had previously stated it prohibits illegal activity and bases enforcement decisions on its assessment of legal requirements across jurisdictions.