Walgreens, Kroger Become Latest Retailers To Stop Selling E-Cigarettes
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) -- Two major retailers say they will no longer sell e-cigarettes in the U.S. amid mounting health questions surrounding vaping. Supermarket chain Kroger and drugstore chain Walgreens announced Monday they would discontinue sales of e-cigarettes at their stores nationwide, citing an uncertain regulatory environment.
The vaping industry has come under scrutiny after hundreds of people have fallen ill and at least eight have died after using vaping devices.
Pennsylvania health officials confirmed Friday that one person died in the state related to vaping. Officials also confirmed that there are nine confirmed and 12 probable cases of vaping-related illnesses in the state. The state's also investigating 63 additional cases.
New Jersey and Delaware have also reported vaping-related deaths.
Walmart announced last month that it would stop selling e-cigarettes at its stores nationwide.
Kroger said it would stop selling e-cigarettes as soon at its current inventory runs out at its more than 2,700 stores and 1,500 fuel centers. The Cincinnati-based company operates the Ralphs, Harris Teeter and other stores.
Walgreens, based in Deerfield, Illinois, operates more than 9,500 stores in the U.S.
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