Key points:

• IKE Tech’s biometric age verification system achieved a 100% success rate in preventing underage access to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) during a recent study.​
• The system utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and biometric authentication to control device access in real-time.​
• The study’s results support the scalability and effectiveness of digital access control in enhancing ENDS regulation.

IKE Tech LLC has announced the results of a study evaluating its Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) System designed to restrict access to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The study demonstrated that 100% of users completed age verification, and no underage participants were able to activate a device.​

The IKE System is the first interoperable biometric blockchain-based platform aimed at controlling access to ENDS. It employs BLE-enabled chips and biometric authentication to manage vaping device access in real-time. The study assessed the system’s usability, safety, and effectiveness in preventing underage access, according to a release.​

Participants in the study downloaded the IKE app, verified their age, paired with a test device, and interacted with BLE-based access controls. Devices could only be reactivated with biometric authentication. All devices deactivated after a period of inactivity or loss of Bluetooth signal, and 91% of participants rated the app as “extremely easy” or “very easy” to use.​

John Patterson, president of IKE Tech, stated, “Our findings prove that digital access control is not only achievable but scalable—and essential to the future of ENDS regulation. 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 Tech is a joint venture between Ispire Technology Inc., Berify, and Chemular. The company’s technology integrates biometric verification with blockchain security to ensure that only authorized users can access ENDS devices. This approach aims to address the growing concern of underage vaping by providing a robust and scalable solution for age verification.

The study’s results come at a time when lawmakers and public health officials are seeking effective methods to prevent underage access to vaping products. IKE Tech’s biometric system offers a promising solution by combining advanced technology with user-friendly design to enhance regulatory compliance and protect public health.