Shopify bans vapes: what the ban means and why Snustrend is moving

As of October 23, 2026 · Snustrend Editorial Team · Reading time approx. 5 minutes

Many online shops in Europe run on Shopify. For vape merchants, everything changed in the summer of 2026. Here you will learn what Shopify decided, why, what it means for Switzerland – and how Snustrend will proceed.

What has Shopify banned regarding vapes?

On June 24, 2026, Shopify informed merchants via email that it no longer supports the sale of "Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)". This refers to all e-cigarette products:

• Devices: Disposable vapes, pod systems, starter kits, mods
• Liquids, pre-filled pods, and cartridges
• Coils, tanks, vaporizers, and accessories

According to industry media, this applies regardless of nicotine content and also to products approved by the FDA in the USA. Those who did not remove the products by the deadline risked having their listings suspended or their entire shop closed. Shopify confirmed the authenticity of the announcement to Reuters on July 10, 2026. There is no public press release.

Why did Shopify ban e-cigarettes?

The trigger came from the USA. In November 2025, a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorneys general (including New York City, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico) urged Shopify to take action against illegal vape sales. In April 2026, the same coalition also contacted payment providers such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Stripe. California Attorney General Rob Bonta welcomed the decision: It would "significantly reduce the sale of illegal nicotine products".

Shopify went further than requested: Instead of just banning illegal products, the platform removed the entire category.

Does the Shopify ban also apply in Switzerland?

Yes. According to a spokesperson for the California Attorney General, the decision applies globally. Industry media report that merchants in the UK and the EU have also received corresponding notifications. Shopify does not mention any exceptions for countries where e-cigarettes are legal and regulated.

Important: This is a business decision by a platform, not a new law. In Switzerland, e-cigarettes with and without nicotine remain legal. Since October 1, 2024, the Tobacco Products Act (TabPG) applies with a minimum age of 18 years. You can read about the taxes on vapes in the article Vape Tax Switzerland; which cantons ban disposable vapes in the article Disposable Vape Ban in Switzerland.

Timeline: The Shopify Vape Ban at a Glance

Date	Event
November 2025	25 US attorneys general urge Shopify to stop illegal vape sales
April 28, 2026	The same coalition contacts payment providers (including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Stripe)
June 23, 2026	Reuters reports on the planned ban
June 24, 2026	Shopify informs merchants: no more sales of e-cigarettes (ENDS)
July 7/8, 2026	Deadline for removing all vape products
July 10, 2026	Shopify confirms the announcement to Reuters
Mid-July 2026	Reports of notifications to merchants in the UK and the EU

Are Nicotine Pouches and Snus also affected?

The announcement from Shopify only mentions e-cigarettes (ENDS). Nicotine pouches, snus, and snuff tobacco are not mentioned as banned in the known reports. Experts see this step as a warning signal for all regulated products: Those reliant on a third-party platform can lose their shop overnight.

What’s next for Snustrend?

Snustrend and our sister shop Dampfwelt are moving to a own shop system. It is being built by JL Consulting Group GmbH in Altendorf SZ, which is behind Snustrend. This means we are no longer dependent on the rules of a US platform and can offer the entire range – snus, nicotine pouches, vapes, and snuff tobacco – under one roof.

For you as a customer, this means: Our vape range, such as the ELFA Pro Pods and all vapes, will remain. We will inform you in good time about the move before anything changes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Has Shopify banned vapes?

Yes. Shopify informed merchants on June 24, 2026, that it no longer supports the sale of e-cigarettes (ENDS). This affects devices, liquids, pods, coils, and accessories. The deadline for removal was July 7/8, 2026.

Does the Shopify vape ban apply worldwide?

According to Reuters and industry media, yes. A spokesperson for the California Attorney General stated that the decision applies globally. Merchants in the UK and the EU also received notifications.

Are e-cigarettes now banned in Switzerland?

No. The Shopify ban is a platform decision, not a law. In Switzerland, e-cigarettes are legal for those aged 18 and over (Tobacco Products Act since October 1, 2024). Some cantons ban disposable vapes.

Are nicotine pouches also banned on Shopify?

No, the known announcement from Shopify only concerns e-cigarettes (ENDS). Nicotine pouches and snus are not mentioned in it.

Can I still buy vapes at Snustrend?

Yes. Snustrend is moving to its own shop system operated by JL Consulting Group GmbH, so the entire range including vapes will remain. We will inform you in good time about the move.

Where can vape shops move from Shopify?

Self-hosted systems like WooCommerce or Magento, headless solutions like Medusa, and other hosted platforms are mentioned, whose rules should be checked in writing beforehand. JL Consulting Group GmbH builds its own shops for affected merchants.

Sources

• Reuters via CTV News: Shopify to bar vapes as US authorities crack down on illegal industry (June 23, 2026)
• Clearing the Air: Shopify bans all vape sales worldwide after US crackdown (July 16, 2026)
• 2Firsts: Shopify requires merchants to remove all vape products by July 8 (July 14, 2026)
• Vapemove: Shopify bans vape sale – US-only or global?
• BAG: Tobacco Products Act and Revision

Note: This article summarizes publicly available reports (as of October 23, 2026) and is not legal advice. Shopify has not publicly published the rule; the notification to merchants is decisive. Nicotine products are only for adults aged 18 and over. Nicotine is addictive.

Discover now: Vapes at Snustrend · Snus & Nicotine Pouches