Tobacco sales via delivery app services: loopholes for underage access

The tobacco retail landscape has grown to include an increasing number of app-based retailers who offer on-demand local delivery services to people of all ages. Data from late 2021 indicated that 10.4% of 13- to 17-year-olds and 15.5% of 18- to 20-year-olds purchased e-cigarettes from delivery app services, including DoorDash and GoPuff.1 Given that food app-based delivery services (eg, DoorDash) are most widely used by 18- to 29-year-olds compared with older adults,2 the distribution of tobacco products via app-based delivery services provides greater opportunities for young adults to access tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. It also raises concerns regarding the sale of tobacco products to those under the legal age of 21 years.

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act is a federal law that regulates online sales and delivery of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco (eg, snuff and chewing tobacco) and e-cigarettes (15 U.S. Code §…

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