Uppen is a pen-shaped refillable vape pod designed for adult smokers, released earlier this year by UPENDS.

With more and more vapers getting to know Uppen, some controversy over Uppen’s pen-shape design arose. Some audiences worry that children may sneak it into school and vape with it. Today, we want to declare what we have done, and plan to do, to prevent children from vaping.

First of all, we are developing and pioneering both technology and programs focused on empowering adult smokers who are seeking ways to quit through technology and design, ethically. We are committed to prevent and discourage the use of e-cigarettes by minors and non-smokers. UPENDS will never allow any sales channel to target non-smokers, including minors.

Secondly, Uppen is not intended for people who do not smoke or vape, or anyone underage, and will always be controlled tightly to avoid misuse. We support effective legislation and regulation to prevent the purchase and use of our products by minors. Uppen’s packaging includes a prominent nicotine label which reads "This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical."

We do not use cartoons, youth-oriented celebrities, or models who are under the age of 25 in Uppen’s marketing material. We also do not feature in our promotional material any lifestyle activities that would appeal to the youth in particular.

UPENDS’ official websites are age-gated to make sure minors are not able to access and purchase UPENDS products online.

Moreover, the Etchip™ adopted in Uppen creates a large vapor cloud with each puff. Users can hardly hide it when vaping with an Uppen.

Lastly, and more importantly, the UPENDS team takes on supervision responsibility by calling on everybody to report businesses who sell Uppen to minors. Once these reports are verified, UPENDS will no longer supply them with our products. We also have reseller terms that include monitoring and penalties for noncompliance with underage restrictions.

The UPENDS TEAM

May, 2020