Augmenting Age Verification

Are current age verification processes preventing underage vaping?

Age verification in the UK and U.S. continues to rely on inspecting photo IDs of potential purchasers in retail environments, while ecommerce stores are mandated to implement age verification systems. This can require users to upload a government-issued ID or use credit card verification to complete a purchase which means checks can easily be bypassed.

“Responsible retailers, who are valuable members and contributors to their communities, would never sell to underage users. However, even with robust staff training and vigilance, mistakes can still be made. Technology which also puts the onus on the user to verify age rather than solely us, the retailers, would be a real help for retailers in eliminating youth use.”

—Atul Sodha, award-winning UK-based retailer

76%

believe young people are buying vapes online with minimal or no age verification

71%

think they’re doing so from retail shops without being asked for ID

Looking at age verification methods aimed at preventing underage people from buying vapes in stores and online:

62%

say they’re easy to bypass

66%

young people are more likely to believe they’re easy to bypass

“Legacy age verification methods, dependent on stored personal data, physical IDs, or clunky user flows, have failed to protect both privacy and minors. These systems are easily circumvented by fake credentials or proxy purchases, while users are forced to sacrifice privacy for access. Until we deliver verification that is both secure and seamless, we risk failing on both fronts. It’s time to raise the standard and move beyond outdated models.”

—Thomas Chen, Partner at IKE Tech

Technology solutions must revolutionize age verification

“Just recently, I’ve been pleased to learn of new technical solutions which could help government end youth vaping. Current laws require age verification at the point of sale, something which has fundamentally failed to stop young people from getting hold of vapes. Government could go further and require continuous age verification at the point of use.”

—Mary Glindon, UK MP

While current age verification methods are widely viewed as easy to bypass, survey respondents believe that real-time identity verification, like biometrics or digital IDs, could significantly strengthen safeguards, especially against underage access:

70%

rated these measures as helpful for stopping underage use

69%

for preventing misuse

60%

for preventing theft

Our survey respondents believe a combination of technology solutions could help prevent underage access to vaping products:

50%

point of use age verification (a digital child lock - biometric identification or similar that must be passed to unlock a device)

49%

point of sale digital age verification (i.e., ID scanning and real-time verification)

24%

smartphone-based access control (devices must be paired with a verified adults app via Bluetooth® or similar)

54%

of young people (aged 15-17) see point of use age verification as the top tech to prevent underage vaping

New innovations: The power of point of use age verification

“Vapes on sale in the UK market could be required to have a secure Bluetooth® technology installed, a low-cost chip that can be integrated. These chips provide a simple on-off switch that can be controlled via a mobile app. Users would then have to verify their image via the app in the same way as happens when accessing other services. This simple and straightforward approach would mean that no matter how a child got hold of a vape, they will be unable to use it. As this process would be quick and user-friendly, it would not prevent adult vapers from using these products as they currently do.”

—Mary Glindon, UK MP

Features built into vapes to block underage use and illicit sales can be as strict or flexible as a local government requires. Blockchain-based point of use age verification technology can ensure that only verified adults use ENDS (electronic, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, or vape pens) not just at the point of purchase, but also at the point of use, again depending on what the local government requires. Using a mobile app, users scan their government-issued ID and complete a biometric check (like a selfie), which pairs their verified identity with the device via Bluetooth®.

Devices then can remain locked and only be turned on and used if the user has been securely verified via the app and is within close proximity to their mobile device. If set up accordingly, when devices travel outside of Bluetooth® range and reconnect, or if they enter an idle state after a predefined period of inactivity, the user can be required to reactivate it via a selfie.This can make it much harder to bypass than traditional retail age checks. All verification data is securely tokenized and recorded on a blockchain, ensuring privacy (no personal data or raw biometrics are stored) and creating a tamper-proof audit trail for regulatory compliance.

The Aspire products shown are owned by their Brand Owner, Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co., Ltd. IKE Tech provides the verification and authentication technology.

“Security should never come at the expense of user experience. If age verification isn’t seamless and as frictionless as possible, we drive consumers – and especially youth - straight back to the black market.”

—Jason Carignan, Chief Commercial Officer, IKE Tech

Further use-cases: Preventing illicit market sales and restoring public confidence

Looking at other use cases for this new technology beyond age verification, tamper-proof NFC/RFID smart tags on each product package ensure authenticity and traceability. Each tag is trackable using secure tokens and recorded on a blockchain, helping to eliminate illicit market devices by making it very clear when a device is legitimate. The IKE Tech Smart Tag utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology only and does not incorporate Bluetooth® technology.

Technology also is available that can support geo-fencing for sensitive areas to further protect users and support public health goals.

Bringing all these innovations together forms a seamless, scalable framework, enhancing security, ensuring compliance, and fostering consumer trust. IKE Tech’s age gating solution is the first FDA-submitted, scalable solution of its kind and is helping effectively address youth vaping, restore public confidence, and is building a foundation of trust and safety across industry and society, helping protect the next generation. Notably, a recent Human Factors validation study unveiled 100% effectiveness in age-gating with IKE's Bluetooth® Low Energy chip.

The Aspire products shown are owned by their Brand Owner, Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co., Ltd. IKE Tech provides the verification and authentication technology.

“Anonymous, secure, and frictionless, IKE Tech brings trust back to age verification at every touchpoint. Brands, regulators, and consumers no longer need to compromise between privacy and protection.”

—Thomas Chen, Partner at IKE Tech

While this technology will be transformative in reducing underage vaping, it’s important to remember that it will take more than technology to solve this challenge.

“Age verification isn’t a silver bullet – real progress happens when the government, industry, and retailers unite.”

—Jason Carignan, Chief Commercial Officer at IKE Tech

85%

of respondents who currently vape would purchase devices with point of use age verification tech if they knew it helped stop underage vaping

78%

of all respondents would support point of use age verification for vapes if they knew it genuinely blocks underage usage

Next: Vaping 2030: A Vision For The Next Five Years

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