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Apple will remove vaping apps from App Store. Will Google follow suit?
June 18, 2025
Today, Apple removed all 181 vaping apps from its App Store. The story first broke atAxios, which heard from an inside source that Apple planned to make the move. Apple’s decision is a response to thegrowing health concernsand the subsequentbacklashagainst vaping and the e-cigarette industry.
This move doesn’t come as too much of a surprise as, back in 2017,Apple blocked any new vaping appsfrom applying for a slot on the App Store. It was only a matter of time before the already-established apps would get the boot.
Apple has never allowed applications designed for the buying and selling of e-cigarette cartridges or e-cigarette pens. The 181 vaping apps removed from the App Store were designed for controlling e-cigarette functions such as temperature or powering the device on and off.
These apps will continue to function for those who already have them and will even transfer when they upgrade to a new device. The apps will be unavailable for new downloads though.
Related:Apple thinks glasses will replace smartphones: What it means for you
It’s possible that Google could make a similar move now that Apple has drawn a line in the sand. There are hundreds of vaping apps on theGoogle Play Storeat the moment and, as far as we can tell, Google still allows new submissions of vaping-related programs.
Here is a statement from Apple regarding its decision this morning:
We have reached out to Google for a statement and will update this article if we receive a response.
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