#USA #Los Angeles #IKE Tech #age-verification #Charlie's Holdings

IKE Tech and Charlie's Holdings: A New Era in Age Verification for Vaping

In a groundbreaking collaboration, IKE Tech LLC, a frontrunner in age-verification technology tailored for vapor products, has entered into a strategic licensing agreement with Charlie's Holdings Inc. This partnership promises to revolutionize the vaping landscape by rolling out the industry’s first AI-powered, blockchain-based age-gating system. This innovative technology will be integrated into Charlie's next-generation nicotine analogue and ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) product lines, setting a new benchmark for regulatory compliance and youth protection in the vaping sector.

The significance of this agreement cannot be overstated. Charlie's SBX product line is poised to become the inaugural commercial vapor product capable of verifying the user's age in real-time before activating the device. This proactive approach places the safety of young individuals at the forefront, addressing pressing concerns around youth vaping in today’s society.

“IKE is establishing a blueprint for responsible vaping globally,” stated IKE Tech's President, John Patterson. He emphasized the importance of this collaboration, suggesting it demonstrates a collective effort from manufacturers, regulators, and innovators to ensure responsible access for adults while actively protecting the youth and securing the supply chain.

Under the terms of the agreement, IKE Tech will supply its proprietary Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chips and develop a tailored, white-labeled web application that aligns with Charlie's devices. This forward-thinking approach builds on IKE's FDA-submitted platform, which boasts a remarkable 100% effectiveness rate in clinical validations aimed at preventing underage activation. This level of assurance positions the technology as a pivotal regulatory cornerstone across the global nicotine industry.

Additionally, the arrangement includes a limited exclusivity period for Charlie's nicotine analogue line, granting them a first-mover advantage in the market for age-gated products. Furthermore, this partnership enables the integration of IKE's technology into Charlie's FDA-regulated ENDS devices, setting both companies on a path for rapid scaling as regulatory landscapes shift.

According to Charlie’s President, Henry Sicignano, there exists a substantial unmet demand for technologies that could assuage the FDA's concerns regarding youth access. He identified a multi-billion dollar market opportunity for flavored vapes that can be rendered inoperable for underage users, asserting the potential for Charlie's to be the first company to convince the FDA of the public health benefits of flavored vape products. Such validation would not only be transformative for Charlie's but also for the entire industry.

The age-gating technology developed by IKE was integral to the industry's first PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Application) submission for standalone, interoperable blockchain-enabled verification technology. This system offers manufacturers a scalable, secure method that operates across various device types and jurisdictions, all while adhering to rigorous compliance standards.

“The decision to partner with Charlie's was influenced by their non-nicotine SBX product line, which facilitates immediate market deployment,” Patterson elaborated. He noted that this not only proves the commercial viability of the approach but also demonstrates that advanced compliance technology can be efficiently adopted without compromising user experience or operational efficiency.

The timing of this announcement is crucial, as various governments are actively exploring or instituting mandated age-verification requirements for nicotine products. With regulators facing heightened scrutiny over youth vaping, IKE's interoperable platform stands ready to assist manufacturers in meeting these new standards while ensuring product security and regulatory adherence.

The blockchain foundation of IKE’s system guarantees that verification records are both immutable and auditable, thereby providing regulators with unparalleled oversight into compliance and safeguarding user privacy through sophisticated cryptographic security measures. For manufacturers, this translates to actionable documentation of youth protection efforts, an essential consideration as regulatory pressure heightens.

Charlie’s integration of IKE’s technology serves as a valuable reference point for other manufacturers assessing age-verification solutions, showcasing that it is feasible to implement cutting-edge compliance technology at scale.

About IKE Tech LLC

IKE Tech LLC is a collaborative venture between Ispire Technology Inc., Touch Point Worldwide Inc. (operating as Berify), and Chemular Inc., founded in 2024. The company aims to establish a robust identity layer for the physical world, harnessing patented technologies that span blockchain authentication, secure BLE communication, and AI-enhanced access control. IKE Tech paves the way for secure and user-centric device interactions within tightly regulated sectors.

About Charlie's Holdings Inc.

Charlie's Holdings, Inc. is a leader in the premium vapor products arena. Renowned for its comprehensive range of product styles, flavor options, and innovative formats, Charlie’s products are distributed globally, catering to select distributors, specialty retailers, and online resellers through its subsidiary, Charlie's Chalk Dust, LLC. For further insights, please visit Charlie’s corporate websites: Chuc.com, sbxvape.com, CharliesChalkDust.com, enjoypachamama.com, and Pacha.co.