In response to the health problems related to the e-cigarette, Apple has removed from its catalog all applications dedicated to e-cigarettes.
In recent years, the electronic cigarette is presented as an alternative to the real cigarette. But if it is true that turning to this device allows a priori to detach from tobacco, its effects on health, however, begin to worry.
For example, there is a link between the use of the electronic cigarette and an increased risk of heart problems. Some e-cigarettes also contain bacterial toxins. Not to mention that a few weeks ago, we learned that the use of the e-cigarette could damage the blood vessels or affect the fertility of women.
It is also recalled that in the United States, more than 2,000 people have been hospitalized in recent months because of lung lesions associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. As of November 13, 2019, 42 of these people had died.
Strong measures
In view of these results, important decisions have been made. India, for example, has just banned the sale and consumption of electronic cigarettes to its 1.3 billion inhabitants. China has also suspended the online sale of these devices. More recently, the American giant Apple has made arrangements.
According to Axios magazine, in the face of growing concerns about e-cigarettes, Apple has removed 181 applications related to vaping from its mobile App Store. Although the company never allowed the sale of electronic e-cigarette cartridges through its catalog, some applications, on the other hand, encouraged or facilitated their use.
“We make sure the App Store is a trusted place for customers, especially young people, to download apps,” Apple’s spokesperson told the magazine. We continually consult the latest available data on health and well-being. Recently, experts from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to the American Heart Association have linked e-cigarettes with a series of lung diseases and deaths. (…) So we updated our instructions. (…) Applications that encourage or facilitate the use of these products are no longer allowed “.
Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, was particularly pleased with this new measure. “Removing these apps will help reduce the exposure of young people to the marketing of e-cigarettes and discourage their use. Apple sets a good example. “
Note that those who have already downloaded these applications before being deleted from the catalog will still be able to use them.
