Overview
- 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.