07/09/2026
If you are looking to build a v**e and e-cigarette business using Shopify, it is crucial to know that the platform has officially banned all e-cigarettes and va**ng products from its service. This means you cannot host a v**e store on Shopify in the United States or many other global regions, according to The Globe and Mail.
Why You Can’t Use Shopify
Following intense pressure from a coalition of U.S. Attorneys General and strict new network guidelines from payment processors like Mastercard, Shopify removed all va**ng products from its platform, The Globe and Mail. While some legacy merchants previously used specialized apps like Vapely Compliance to handle state laws, the Shopify App Store, the recent company-wide ban, makes Shopify unusable for the niche Reuters.
Top Alternative E-Commerce Platforms
If you are planning to launch your v**e and e-cigarette business, you will need platforms that openly support high-risk and regulated products:
WooCommerce: Operating as a plugin on WordPress, WooCommerce is widely regarded in Reddit discussions as the top alternative for “grey market” or regulated industries since you own your own server and have complete control over your store’s hosting on Reddit.
BigCommerce: BigCommerce allows for the sale of regulated, high-risk items, provided you utilize a specialized high-risk payment gateway. [1]
Payment Gateways for Va**ng
Because traditional processors like standard Shopify Payments or basic Stripe accounts typically prohibit e-cigarettes, you will need a dedicated high-risk merchant account. Processors such as eMerchant, SoarPay, or PaymentCloud are built explicitly for the to***co and v**e industry, and they will integrate with platforms like WooCommerce.
Let’s talk about your next e-commerce platform!
