Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a bipartisan coalition of 24 attorneys general and New York City in calling on e-commerce platform Shopify to crack down on merchants selling illegal tobacco products, specifically e-cigarettes. Despite Shopify’s policies against unlawful activities, the coalition identified numerous merchants using the platform to sell unauthorized vaping products.
“I am calling on Shopify to clean up its act and stop selling illegal e-cigarettes on their platform,” Ellison stated, citing the harm caused to young people. The group identified 29 specific illegal e-cigarette websites hosted on Shopify and provided a list of over 200 others selling illicit tobacco products. They have requested a meeting with Shopify to discuss comprehensive solutions.
Ellison highlighted that the FDA has authorized only 39 e-cigarette products, all tobacco or menthol flavored. Any other products are considered “adulterated” and illegal under federal law. This action aligns with Minnesota’s broader efforts, including a 2024 law banning e-cigarettes packaged to look like candy or school supplies.
