Exchanges to pull e-cigarettes, vape products from stores amid health concerns

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is pulling electronic cigarettes and vape products from on-base store shelves amid safety concerns, officials said Tuesday.

The move, which takes effect Monday, follows a plan announced last week by retail giant Walmart to stop selling the products amid concerns about links to severe lung disease.

The Army Public Health Center warned servicemembers Sept. 12 to avoid vape products after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaping may be linked to hundreds of cases of severe lung disease and at least six deaths in dozens of states.

“Until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments to collect information on e-cigarette and vape products is complete … the Army & Air Force Exchange Service is removing these products from its assortment, effective close of business Sept. 30,” AAFES senior public affairs manager Chris Ward said in an email Tuesday.

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