E-commerce platform Shopify will prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes (vapes), according to information obtained by Reuters. The ban is expected to be implemented as early as this week.
The action is a result of discussions that have been ongoing since last year between the platform and a group consisting of 25 US state attorneys general. The purpose from the authorities' side has been to limit the e-commerce of unlicensed e-cigarettes in the US market.
According to Reuters sources, Shopify's ban will encompass all e-cigarettes in the US market, regardless of whether they hold sales permits from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or not. Shopify has not yet responded to questions regarding whether the ban will also be applied globally.
In a written statement, Shopify commented on the guidelines:
We have always prohibited illegal activity and take action when we become aware of merchants violating our policies.
The company adds that their internal policy decisions are based on global legal frameworks and are not solely governed by individual pressures:
We adapt our oversight as legal changes require it.