Apple BANS apps that promote vaping from its App Store after e-cigarettes are linked to 40 deaths and more than 2,700 illnesses in the US
- Apple has removed 181 vaping apps from its App Store amid health concerns
- More than 40 people have died due to illnesses linked to vaping
- Apple says removed apps promoted and enabled the habit
Apple will no longer allow apps that promote vaping to be downloaded via its App Store as public concern grows over health effects.
According to Axios, Apple removed 181 apps on Friday that they say either encourage or helped people to vape.
Among those apps were various tools that enabled users to change the lighting and temperature of vape pens and also offered vaping-related news, social networking, and games.
Vaping deaths continue to sweep the US, with the total death toll rising to 42 fatalities in 24 states. In total, 2,172 have fallen ill since the outbreak of illnesses began in March
‘We take great care to curate the App Store as a trusted place for customers, particularly youth, to download apps,’ Apple told Axios in a statement.
‘We’re constantly evaluating apps, and consulting the latest evidence, to determine risks to users’ health and well-being.’
Apple’s decision comes after at least 42 deaths linked to vaping mixtures in addition to more than 2,700 reports of vaping-related illness according to the Center for Disease Control.
Most of those cartridges were so-called boot-leg concoctions that also contained THC while some were legitimate nicotine cartridges.
Though the evidence isn’t definitive, the FDA says a vitamin E acetate, which is added to vaping liquids to either thicken or dilute them, could be responsible for the rash of illnesses and death.
‘Recently, experts ranging from the CDC to the American Heart Association have attributed a variety of lung injuries and fatalities to e-cigarette and vaping products, going so far as to call the spread of these devices a public health crisis and a youth epidemic,’ Apple told Axios.
‘We agree, and we’ve updated our App Store Review Guidelines to reflect that apps encouraging or facilitating the use of these products are not permitted. As of today, these apps are no longer available to download.’
