This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
Apple Takes a Stand Against Vaping ¶
On November 18, 2019, Apple announced that it would be banning vaping-related apps from its App Store due to growing concerns over the health risks associated with e-cigarettes.
According to Apple, the decision was made in response to the increasing number of lung injuries and fatalities linked to e-cigarette and vaping products. The company stated that it had updated its App Store Review Guidelines to reflect that apps encouraging or facilitating the use of these products are no longer permitted.
As a result, 181 vaping-related apps have been removed from the App Store worldwide. These apps included social networks, news, games, hardware, and stores, but not tobacco or vaping cartridges, which were never allowed on the platform.
Apple's decision has been welcomed by health organizations, including the American Heart Association. In a statement, the association's chief executive, Nancy Brown, said, '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.'
However, some vaping companies have expressed disappointment at the decision. Pax, a cannabis vape-maker, had an app that allowed users to control vapor and flavor output, temperature, and firmware updates. The app has now been removed from the App Store, and a spokesperson for the company said that it was 'very concerned and disappointed' by the decision.
Despite the removal of vaping-related apps, users who already have these apps on their Apple devices will still be able to continue using them and transfer them to new devices. However, new users will not be able to download these apps, and new vaping apps will not be permitted on the App Store.
