Online Vape Sellers Skirt Regulations, Allowing Easy Access for Minors

A new study reveals widespread non-compliance with federal and local laws by online vape retailers, facilitating minors' access to flavored e-cigarettes.

• Researchers found that 73% of attempted online vape purchases were processed, with 67% successfully delivered, often without age verification.
• Only 1% of deliveries involved ID scanning, despite federal requirements for age verification upon delivery of vaping products.
• The study highlighted that the U.S. Postal Service was used for 80% of the deliveries, contravening a federal ban on shipping e-cigarettes.
• California's local ordinances, like those in San Diego, are often ineffective in preventing online sales of flavored tobacco due to ambiguous e-commerce restrictions.
• Experts call for improved oversight and enforcement of online tobacco sales to protect minors, as online sales remain the fastest-growing sector of the tobacco industry.

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