Shopify has instructed its customers to remove all vape products from their online stores. This decision comes after pressure from a coalition of U.S. state and city law enforcement authorities over the widespread sales of illegal vapes through websites hosted on Shopify’s platform.
Background
In June, Reuters reported that Shopify was planning to ban vape sales due to the growing concern over the sale of illegal nicotine products. The company has now confirmed this policy change, citing changes in legal restrictions on the sale of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).
A notice sent to merchants on June 24 instructed them to remove all e-cigarette products by July 8 or risk product suspension or store termination. Shopify confirmed the notice was authentic but did not comment further.
The move follows pressure from attorneys general from states including California, Illinois, and Arizona, as well as authorities in the City of New York, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, ‘This change will help significantly reduce the sale of illegal nicotine products. We will continue to hold companies accountable and protect public health.’
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
