From staff reports

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is leading a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general urging major credit card companies and payment processors to take stronger action against illegal online sales of vaping products.

In letters sent to companies including American Express, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and Capital One, Sunday and a coalition of 24 other attorneys general plus New York City called for immediate collaboration to block unlawful transactions tied to the sale of unauthorized e-cigarette products.

Sunday said many vaping devices are marketed in ways that appeal to children and teens and are often purchased online without proper safeguards.

“E-cigarettes are highly addictive and pose significant health risks, especially to young people,” Sunday said. “We are asking these payment processors and credit card companies to crack down on the illegal sales of vaping devices through the internet.”

Federal law requires all e-cigarette products to receive authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before they can be legally sold in the United States. According to the attorney general’s office, only 41 e-cigarette products have been authorized by the FDA, none in flavors other than tobacco or menthol.

The coalition said many online sellers fail to comply with the federal Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, which requires age verification, registration and compliance with state and local laws.

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General recently began overseeing e-cigarette manufacturers distributing products in the commonwealth under Act 57 of 2025.

The coalition is requesting a meeting with the companies to discuss ways to prevent illegal vape sales and prohibit merchants violating federal and state laws from using their payment networks.