From here
Apple to remove vaping apps from its App Store
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Amid growing health concerns over e-cigarettes, Apple will remove all 181 vaping-related apps from its mobile App Store this morning, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The move comes after at least 42 people have died from vaping-related lung illness, per the CDC. Most of those people had been using cartridges containing THC, though some exclusively used nicotine cartridges.
What's happening: The company has never allowed the sale of vape cartridges directly from apps. But there were apps that let people control the temperature and lighting of their vape pens, and others provided vaping-related news, social networks and games.
The Storz & Bickel apps for the Volcano, Crafty and Mighty are still there but the PAX, Firefly and Ghost MV1 apps have gone (that I know of so far).
With more and more vapes utilising apps and Bluetooth control this move impacts the functionality of those vapes so if you're in the Apple camp and in the market for a new vape it's probably a good idea to check that you'll actually be able to use the full functionality and you're not wasting your money on features you can't access because of this ban.
Apple to remove vaping apps from its App Store
"
Amid growing health concerns over e-cigarettes, Apple will remove all 181 vaping-related apps from its mobile App Store this morning, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The move comes after at least 42 people have died from vaping-related lung illness, per the CDC. Most of those people had been using cartridges containing THC, though some exclusively used nicotine cartridges.
What's happening: The company has never allowed the sale of vape cartridges directly from apps. But there were apps that let people control the temperature and lighting of their vape pens, and others provided vaping-related news, social networks and games.
- Apple has been headed in this direction since June, when it stopped accepting new apps that promote vaping.
- Those who already have a vaping-related app on their iPhone will be able to continue using the app and install it on new devices.
- "Recently, experts ranging from the CDC to the American Heart Association have attributed a variety of lung injuries and fatalities to e-cigarette and vaping products, going so far as to call the spread of these devices a public health crisis and a youth epidemic."
- "We agree, and we’ve updated our App Store Review Guidelines to reflect that apps encouraging or facilitating the use of these products are not permitted. As of today, these apps are no longer available to download."
- "By taking e-cigarette related apps off the App Store, Apple will help reduce youth exposure to e-cigarette marketing and discourage youth use of these products. Apple is setting a welcome example of corporate responsibility in protecting our kids "
The Storz & Bickel apps for the Volcano, Crafty and Mighty are still there but the PAX, Firefly and Ghost MV1 apps have gone (that I know of so far).
With more and more vapes utilising apps and Bluetooth control this move impacts the functionality of those vapes so if you're in the Apple camp and in the market for a new vape it's probably a good idea to check that you'll actually be able to use the full functionality and you're not wasting your money on features you can't access because of this ban.