A recent study reveals alarming ease of underage access to online vape purchases in San Diego County, despite age restrictions.
At a Glance
- 73% of online vape purchase attempts by minors were successful
- 67% of ordered vape products were delivered without proper age verification
- Only 1% of buyers had their IDs scanned during the delivery process
- Researchers tested 78 online retailers for compliance with flavored vaping product rules
- 80% of successful deliveries were made by the U.S. Postal Service, despite prohibitions
Study Exposes Widespread Non-Compliance in Online Vape Sales
A comprehensive study conducted by the University of California–San Diego has shed light on a concerning trend in online vape sales to minors in San Diego County. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), reveals that despite existing age restrictions, underage individuals can easily bypass legal regulations when purchasing vaping products online.
The study’s findings are particularly troubling, as they expose significant gaps in the enforcement of laws designed to protect youth from accessing potentially harmful tobacco products. Researchers tested the compliance of 78 online retailers with rules on flavored vaping products, uncovering widespread disregard for age verification processes and shipping restrictions.
Alarming Success Rates for Underage Purchases
The study’s methodology involved 16 individuals attempting to purchase flavored vape products online in San Diego, California. Out of 156 attempted transactions, a staggering 73% were successfully processed, with 67% of the orders being delivered. These figures highlight the ease with which minors can access vaping products through online channels.
“There are longstanding surveillance systems in place that help implement laws at brick-and-mortar stores, but we do not have a system in place for online retailers,” Dr. Eric Leas, a researcher involved in the study, said.
Even more concerning is the lack of proper age verification during the delivery process. The study found that only 1% of buyers had their IDs scanned, and 78% reported no interaction with delivery personnel. This negligence in verifying the age of recipients directly contradicts federal and state laws designed to prevent minors from obtaining tobacco products.
The study’s findings underscore the challenges faced by regulators in enforcing age restrictions on online vape sales. While many states have implemented laws regulating e-cigarette delivery to minors, with at least 34 states having such regulations in place, the effectiveness of these measures is called into question by the study’s results.
California’s SB-793 law, which prohibits flavored tobacco sales, leaves e-commerce restrictions unclear. Additionally, the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from shipping vaping products and requires age verification. However, the study found that 80% of successful deliveries were made by the Postal Service, indicating a significant lapse in enforcement.
So, What Should Be Done?
The research team emphasizes the urgent need for better oversight and enforcement of online tobacco sales. Dr. Leas suggests implementing a system for monitoring online compliance that local health departments could adopt as part of routine surveillance efforts to strengthen public health laws.
“This research is piloting a system for monitoring online compliance that local health departments could mimic as a routine surveillance system to strengthen the implementation of public health laws designed to reduce the sale of tobacco products to minors,” Dr. Eric Leas said.
As online e-cigarette sales continue to be the fastest-growing sector of the tobacco industry, addressing these regulatory gaps becomes increasingly crucial. The study’s authors note that while their research was limited to one county, the findings likely reflect broader trends that require immediate attention from policymakers and enforcement agencies.
