California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the City of New York co-led a bipartisan coalition of 25 attorneys general in pressing Shopify Inc. to take tougher action against merchants selling illegal tobacco products — particularly e-cigarettes — through its platform. In a letter sent November 24, the group requested a meeting with Shopify to develop a comprehensive solution, noting that, despite existing policies, sellers continue to use the service to market unlawful products.

California’s Department of Justice said Shopify has previously cooperated with enforcement efforts, terminating certain e-cigarette sellers flagged by state officials. The coalition identified 29 illegal e-cigarette websites currently hosted on Shopify and enclosed an exhibit listing more than 200 additional sites selling unlawful tobacco products.

The other attorneys general in the coalition represent Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Bonta has also taken prior action against individual sellers, including lawsuits targeting companies marketing flavored disposable e-cigarettes.

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.