Apple has taken action by removing and subsequently banning 181 vaping apps from its App Store following a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC report revealed that 42 people in the US have died from lung injuries related to e-cigarettes. Apple supported the CDC’s findings and expressed its commitment to ensuring the safety of the App Store. The company cited concerns about the potential influence of such apps on teenagers as a reason for the removal.
While Apple never permitted apps that facilitated the direct ordering of vaping products, the App Store featured apps that allowed users to control vape pens. Additionally, apps containing vape-related content and games were also taken down. In a statement, Apple emphasized its diligence in curating the App Store as a reliable platform for users, particularly youth, to access apps by evaluating risks to users’ health and well-being based on the latest evidence.
Existing users who have already downloaded the now-banned apps will still be able to use them, but new users will no longer have access to these apps.
