Recently, the age verification solution provider for the e-cigarette industry, 1account, stated that in addressing the issue of underage individuals obtaining e-cigarettes, brick-and-mortar stores need to be included in the statistical research alongside online purchases.
Recently, age verification solution provider 1account in the e-cigarette industry stated that high street stores need to be included in statistical research along with online purchases when addressing the issue of underage access to e-cigarettes.
According to 1account, the vast majority of children and young people who illegally purchase disposable e-cigarettes do so in physical retail stores rather than online.
A market test of vape purchases has shown that online age verification is effective in preventing the sale of disposable products to minors, compared to physical stores. A recent report highlights that an increasing number of children and young people are purchasing e-cigarette products, especially disposable devices, on the streets. The government should focus on cracking down on this issue.
The age and identity verification provider, 1account, has revealed the results of a disposable e-cigarette "market test" conducted in collaboration with one of the UK's largest online e-cigarette retailers, vapesuperstore.co.uk.
As a result, it was found that 70 percent of consumers who had not verified their age online attempted to purchase disposable e-cigarettes exclusively, while only 40 percent of consumers who had gone through online age verification actually purchased disposable e-cigarettes.
In contrast, a report by ASH has shown that sales of electronic cigarettes to those under the age of 18 in retail stores are as high as 46.5%, while online sales account for only 10%.
Ben Keirle, founder and CEO of 1account, stated that this highlights the main issue with physical retail stores.
Ben added, "ASH's statistical data confirms what we've suspected - that single-use products are becoming increasingly popular among young people," he said. "However, our own data demonstrates the effectiveness of online age verification in preventing these products from falling into the hands of people with bad intentions, as each sale goes through a robust age verification process.
Almost 10% of minors who manage to purchase online are most likely buying from websites that do not implement age verification, and based on our observations, these same websites are also more likely to sell illegal disposable e-cigarettes.
The market test results for 1account were conducted following independent review of tobacco control, commonly referred to as the Khan Review. Commissioned by the government to assist in developing its 2030 smoke-free strategy, the review emphasized the crucial contribution that e-cigarettes can make towards achieving this ambitious goal.
However, the report also highlights concerns about the increasing trend of children accessing electronic cigarettes. It suggests conducting more research on how young people are obtaining e-cigarette products and even recommends considering a ban on online sales of e-cigarettes in the future.
Keirle is also a member of the Youth Access Prevention Committee, which is managed by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA). He commented, "From our perspective, the e-cigarette industry's use of online age verification is equivalent to the gambling industry, where 100% of licensed operators use verification.
Around 40% of UK online e-cigarette retailers and e-cigarette trade organizations, including IBVTA and UKVIA, use our platform which requires age verification as a condition for membership.
Compared to the alcohol industry where online point-of-sale verification is still in its early stages, the electronic cigarette industry is a model for responsible e-commerce operations and retail.
He concluded, "Our insight has been supported by ASH research. Preventing the sale of age-restricted over-the-counter products in physical retail stores is the biggest issue. If addressed, the number of minors purchasing e-cigarette products would significantly decrease, and this is where the government needs to focus attention.
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