App Store Reject

Guideline 1.4.3

Guideline 1.4.3 - Safety: Substance Promotion or Sales Facilitation

High SeverityMedium FixTypical Fix: 1-3 days0 Reports
Also known as:App encourages consumption of tobacco or vape productsApp facilitates sale of controlled substances without proper licensingApp promotes or gamifies excessive alcohol consumptionApp encourages minors to consume regulated substancesVape shop or e-cigarette marketing app

Our Take

Apple is rejecting your app because it encourages consumption of tobacco, vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive alcohol, or facilitates the sale of controlled substances. Apps encouraging minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected outright. This guideline has become particularly relevant with the growth of vape/e-cigarette apps and cannabis delivery services. The key distinctions are: - Apps that encourage use (marketing, gamification of drinking) are not permitted - Licensed pharmacies can facilitate sales of controlled substances - Licensed or legal cannabis dispensaries can facilitate sales in jurisdictions where legal - Tobacco/vape sales facilitation is not allowed regardless of licensing The 'encouragement' standard is subjective — a drinking game app might be rejected even if it doesn't sell anything. Apple errs on the side of caution with substance-related content.

Resolution Guide

01

Remove substance promotion

Remove any content that encourages or gamifies substance use: drinking games, vape trick tutorials, substance-themed challenges.

02

Provide licensing documentation

If you're a licensed pharmacy or legal cannabis dispensary, submit your license in the Review Notes with jurisdiction information.

03

Add age verification

For any permitted substance-related app (wine education, brewery finder), implement age verification at app launch.

04

Reframe as educational

If the app has educational value about substances (e.g., wine appreciation, cocktail recipes), emphasize the educational and responsible consumption angle.

05

Remove sales facilitation

If your app facilitates tobacco or vape product sales, this cannot be fixed — remove the sales functionality entirely.

Prevention

  • Get legal review before building substance-related apps
  • Include age verification for any alcohol-adjacent features
  • Ensure licensing documentation is ready before submission

    • Example Rejection Email

    From:Apple App Review Team
    Subject:Guideline 1.4.3 - Safety: Substance Promotion or Sales Fac
    Guideline 1.4.3 - Safety - Physical Harm Your app encourages consumption of [tobacco/vape products / excessive amounts of alcohol / controlled substances] or facilitates the sale of [tobacco / controlled substances]. Next Steps: Please revise your app to remove content that encourages substance consumption or facilitates the sale of controlled substances. Licensed pharmacies and legal cannabis dispensaries may facilitate sales in accordance with applicable laws.

    Consider Appealing

    Appeal if your app is a licensed pharmacy or legal cannabis dispensary and you can provide licensing documentation. For alcohol-related apps, appeal if the app is informational (e.g., wine education) rather than promotional.

    Generate Appeal

    Before & After

    Before — Rejected

    Drinking game app with challenges like 'Take 3 shots if...' and a shot counter leaderboard

    After — Approved

    App reframed as a social party game with non-alcohol challenges, drinking references removed, age gate added at launch

    What changed: Apple prohibits apps that encourage excessive alcohol consumption regardless of the app's entertainment intent.

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