Apple removes all vaping-related apps from the App Store
What's the story
Amid growing health concerns associated with e-cigarettes, Apple has removed all the vaping-related apps from the App Store. The Cupertino-based tech giant has banned as many as 181 apps that are related to vapes and e-cigarettes.
Notably, Apple had stopped approving such apps in June, and has now removed the already-approved ones from the App Store entirely.
Here's more on this matter.
Information
Vaping-related deaths considered to be the primary reason
Apple has noted that the decision to permanently remove vaping-related apps follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's ascertainment that "vaping products resulted in 42 deaths in the US and contributed to over 2,000 cases of lung injury."
Statement
Here is what Apple said on this matter
Apple has sided with several health experts who consider vaping and e-cigarettes a "public health crisis" and "a youth epidemic."
In a statement, the company said that it has updated the App Store Review Guidelines "to reflect that apps encouraging or facilitating the use of these products (vaping-related) are not permitted. As of today, these apps are no longer available to download."
Quote
AHA praises Apple's efforts to fight against vaping
"We are grateful that Apple is joining with us and others on this historic day to stand against big vape and their lies by removing all vaping apps in the App Store," said American Heart Association's chief executive Nancy Brown.
No updates
Meanwhile, all the installed apps will continue to work
Meanwhile, do note that if you happen to have an app to control your vape pen or any other such app already installed on your iPhone, they would continue to work.
However, Apple will not allow the developers of these apps to introduce updates, nor will it allow the new users to download the apps from the App Store.