As food delivery apps have become a staple of modern convenience, their reach has quietly extended into the realm of age-restricted products. Recent reports and community concerns suggest that Uber Eats may be facilitating the sale of tobacco and cannabis products to minors, raising serious questions about compliance, public health, and legal accountability.

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California law is crystal clear: selling tobacco to anyone under 21 is illegal. Traditionally, brick-and-mortar retailers have been required to check IDs at the point of sale. But moving these transactions online creates obvious risks. Unlike licensed tobacco retailers, Uber Eats drivers do not verify the age of tobacco or cannabis customers. The app’s policies around tobacco sales are inconsistent—prohibiting the sale of these products, but willfully failing to enforce their own ban.

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Private parties can sue retailers for selling illicit products, including tobacco and cannabis, to minors. If Uber Eats is a conduit for these illegal sales, it could face penalties and injunctions. The stakes are high: not only could Uber Eats be liable, but it could also be forced to overhaul its delivery protocols.

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EKO is investigating evidence of underage sales via delivery apps. If you use Uber Eats with a "Teen" account, or if your child has received tobacco products from Uber Eats without proper age verification, we want to hear about it.

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