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US Congress has passed a shipping bill that could mean the end for small vaping retailers across the country
Words : Jordan Millar
F urious e-cigarette advocates , retailers and customers have reacted with anger at America ’ s controversial new “ vape mail ban ” for its devastating impact on the industry . The bill was introduced to prevent young people from buying vaping products online , but advocates worry it will have a damaging effect on smaller retailers . It prevents sellers from shipping goods through the US Postal Service ( USPS ), forcing all nicotine and cannabis vaping deliveries to come to halt . Additionally , retailers must comply with the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act ( PACT ), which outlines stringent rules for the delivery of vaping products through private shipping companies . American Vaping Association President , George Conley said : “ If the increase in shipping costs wasn ’ t enough , the bill also imposes huge paperwork burdens on small retailers and backs it up with threats of imprisonment . “ This is not a law designed to regulate the mail-order sale of vaping products to adults ; it ’ s an attempt to eliminate it .” Among the many requirements imposed by the bill , online retailers must now verify the age of customers through a commercial database , as well as provide a detailed monthly report of transactions for all the states they ship to . With the US Postal Service now off-limits , online retailers will be forced to turn to private couriers to deliver their products . However , companies such as FedEx and UPS have already announced plans to stop shipping vaping goods early this year . Consumer advocacy group CASAA pointed out that many independent postal companies typically outsource deliveries to the USPS – especially in areas they deem ‘ dangerous .’ It said that many consumers living in those areas typically also didn ’ t have access to brick-and-mortar stores and therefore would not be able to purchase vaping products at all . A CASAA spokesperson said : “ The supporters of this bill argue that preventing the shipment of vapor products will prevent teens from getting their hands on them and reduce youth usage . “ Meanwhile , cigarettes will remain the most visible and widely accessible tobacco product in the history of the world .”
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