Shopify Bans Vape Sales

Shopify Bans Vape Sales

Shopify (SHOP, Financials), the e-commerce software company that helps merchants build and run online stores, has told users to remove vape products from its platform

The company said changes in legal restrictions on electronic nicotine products prompted the move. Merchants were instructed to take down all e-cigarette listings by July 8 or risk product suspension or store termination

The policy applies to all vape products, not just those considered illegal

The decision follows pressure from a coalition of U.S. state and local authorities, including officials in California, Illinois, Arizona, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico

Those regulators had raised concerns about illegal vape sales through websites hosted on Shopify

For Shopify, the change reduces legal and reputational risk but could affect some merchants that relied on the platform for nicotine-related sales

The broader issue is how far online commerce platforms should go in policing products sold by third parties. Shopify’s decision shows it is willing to draw a firmer line when legal pressure builds

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