BP and Fiserv to Block Payments on Illegal Disposable Vapes at US Stations
BP•BP and major US service station chains have joined Fiserv in warning retailers that its payment network will block transactions for illegal disposable vape products flagged as noncompliant. The measure aims to curb unlicensed nicotine vape sales by declining card payments at thousands of convenience outlets later this year.
1. Coalition Advises Retailers
BP has joined Fiserv alongside other major service station operators in issuing a joint advisory to US convenience-store retailers that its card-processing platform will automatically decline transactions for disposable vape products failing to meet compliance standards. The initiative targets unlicensed or illicit nicotine devices by coding flagged SKUs for payment refusal.
2. Retailer Compliance Requirements
Operators will require retailers to update point-of-sale systems and product catalogs by a specified deadline to ensure unauthorized disposable vape items are recognized and blocked at checkout. BP’s US network, spanning thousands of forecourt convenience outlets, will receive technical guidance to integrate these payment network updates seamlessly.
3. Market Reaction and Outlook
BP’s shares rose modestly on investor assessment of revenue implications from reduced vape sales, while Fiserv stock outperformed broader markets on expectations of increased transaction volumes tied to compliance enforcement. The policy may lower ancillary sales but reduces legal and regulatory risks associated with unauthorized vape distribution.
