A biometric Bluetooth chip is being positioned as a potential solution to preventing underage vaping.
Ispire Technology joint venture IKE Tech, which specializes in IoT, identity verification and tokenization, just completed a multi-center study evaluating the technology. The company said the IKE System is the first interoperable biometric blockchain-based platform designed to control access to e-cigarettes and vapes.
The study assessed usability, safety, and effectiveness in preventing underage access using BLE-enabled chips and biometric authentication to control device access.
The results showed that 100% of users successfully completed age verification, 0% of underage users were able to activate a device, and that 91% rated the app "extremely easy" or "very easy" to use.
"Our findings prove that digital access control is not only achievable but scalable—and essential to the future of ENDS regulation" said John Patterson, President of IKE Tech. "We're not just building technology. We're building a new regulatory framework, one that gives the FDA and manufacturers powerful tools to safeguard public health and ensure adult-only access. This is bigger than just a chip—it's a paradigm shift."
IKE's product essentially functions as a childlock. It means any vape that an individual under 18 tried to use will not turn on unless they are age-verified via an app connected to the chip partnered with global identity authenticators.
