Citing mounting evidence of a “public health crisis,” Apple removed all vaping-related apps from its App Store Friday, multiple news outlets reported.
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Although the tech giant has never allowed the sale of tobacco or vaping cartridges via apps, some of the 181 now banned apps permitted the user to control settings – such as temperature – on vaping devices, The Washington Post reported.
“We’re constantly evaluating apps, and consulting the latest evidence to determine risks to users’ health and well-being,” Apple spokesman Fred Sainz said in a statement.
"We've updated our App Store Review Guidelines to reflect that apps encouraging or facilitating the use of these products are not permitted," Apple told CNBC in a statement. "As of today, these apps are no longer available to download."
According to the CDC, vaping-related illnesses have killed at least 42 people and forced the hospitalization of nearly 2,200 people in 49 states with pneumonia like symptoms.
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