App Store 1.4.3 rejection: Tobacco, drugs, and alcohol

Your app may have an age gate, but Apple also reviews what it encourages or sells. Guideline 1.4.3 addresses promotion of tobacco, vaping, illegal drugs, excessive drinking, and use of these substances by minors. It also restricts sales of tobacco and controlled substances.

Inspect the activity, not just the category

Review challenges, rewards, marketplace items, links, and user posts. A drinking challenge can raise a different concern from a factual article about alcohol. We’d check promotions and notifications alongside the main screens because they can encourage behavior the listing doesn’t mention.

Apple states exceptions for licensed pharmacies and licensed or otherwise legal cannabis dispensaries in its controlled-substance sales rule. Verify the precise exception and relevant locations before relying on it.

Remove or substantiate the flagged feature

Remove prohibited sales routes or encouragement. Where an exception actually applies, provide the licensing or other evidence that supports it and explain the covered locations. An adult age rating by itself doesn’t establish eligibility.

Test the app’s content, purchase routes, and location restrictions after the change. Reply with the specific feature changed or the documented basis for the exception. Seek qualified advice for app-specific licensing questions.