Apple is taking a huge step against vaping. The company is removing all 181 vaping related apps from its app store. The tech giant took this decision after the reports of thousands of vaping related lung illnesses and deaths. The banned apps include store apps, games and hardware companion apps that let users regulate things like the lighting and heating of vape pens.
The company said it never allowed apps that sell cartridges on the store, but other vape-related software, such as apps that control vaping pens or provided industry news or vape-focused games, were allowed.
“[We’ve] updated our App Store Review Guidelines to reflect that apps encouraging or facilitating the use of these products are not permitted,” said Apple in a press statement. “As of today, these apps are no longer available to download.” Users who already have these apps will still be able to use them.
The move from the company came as cases of vaping-related illnesses continue to rise and US officials were not able to stop it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, A condition called EVALI, short for e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury has now sickened 2,172 people and killed 42 people. ”
The company still allows cannabis-related apps, as long as they are restricted to adults and certain states and don’t offer sales or explicitly encourage recreational use.