Ultimate Compliance Guide for Vape Machines

Understanding State and Federal Laws for Vending Electronic Cigarettes and Vapor Products in Vape Machines

Federal law prohibits the sale of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes and disposable vapes, to individuals under 21. While most states enforce this 21+ rule, some still permit sales to individuals aged 18 and older. Vape vending operators must stay informed about these age restrictions and state-specific regulations regarding the placement and access of vending machines that sell nicotine products.

Although modern age-verification technologies, such as biometric verification, help mitigate risks of underage sales, they don’t guarantee compliance on their own. Many states have yet to update regulations to recognize these technologies fully.

Staying Compliant and Ahead of Legislation:

Navigating the complex legal landscape for e-cigarettes and vending machines in the U.S. can be challenging. This guide offers valuable insights to help you remain compliant with federal and state regulations, stay ahead of pending legislation, and maintain good standing with regulatory bodies, including the FDA.

VapeTM Age-Verification Solutions for Vape Machines

VapeTM vending machines come equipped with advanced age-verification to confirm that customers are legally permitted to purchase vape products. With the shift towards smart vending, which supports cashless payments like credit cards and Apple Pay, regulatory risk increases. Payment processors, ISOs, sponsor banks, and machine operators must adhere to strict KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements, which can be costly and time-consuming. Low-quality age verification (e.g., undetected fake or expired IDs) increases regulatory exposure for vending operators.

VapeTM’s intelligent software, in partnership with AptPay, requires customers to verify their age using a driver’s license, government-issued ID, or passport, with facial recognition to ensure the ID matches the person holding the phone. Our ID Analyzer cross-references multiple databases to authenticate IDs and uses robust facial recognition assets for accuracy. Working closely with legal experts, VapeTM provides a one-stop KYC solution for vending machine owners and operators, integrating AptPay’s digital KYC service for instant, real-time payee identification and verification.


Step-by-Step Flow Chart: VapeTM Vending Transaction Process with Age-Verification Enabled

  1. Customer clicks "buy" to purchase a product or disposable vape.
  2. A screen prompts the customer to enter their email or phone number.
  3. Customer receives instructions via AptPay to upload their driver’s license and capture a facial image using their phone’s camera.
  4. Verification completes in approximately 15 seconds, granting or denying access to the payment screen.
  5. Customer is approved or disapproved 
  6. If approved, customer can proceed to "go shopping"
Biometric Facial Recognition Process with VapeTM Age Verification Solution

Youth Prevention: VapeTM's Age-Verification Solutions to Prevent Underage Sales

Age verification is critical in the sale of vape products. Preventing underage access protects youth health and helps retailers avoid substantial fines, legal action, and reputation damage. These systems, designed to verify government-issued IDs, adhere to FDA and state regulations, and promote responsible retailing. VapeTM’s biometric-enabled solution ensures purchasers meet legal age requirements, helping vending machine operators maintain compliance and foster community safety.

For additional compliance information for specific states, see our state-by-state survey and consult with your attorney. 

Disclaimer 

This page is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. 

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