Kroger And Walgreens To Stop Selling E-Cigarettes

NEW YORK, NY -- Two major retailers have opted to stop selling e-cigarettes at their stores nationwide. Supermarket chain Kroger and drugstore chain Walgreens announced Monday they would discontinue sales of e-cigarettes at their stores, after a series of health issues surrounding users of the products.

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.

Hundreds of people have fallen ill and at least eight have died after using vaping devices. Last week, Alabama reported its first vaping-related death.

The state health department issued a statement saying that all consumers consider refraining from the use of e-cigarettes and vape products until national and state investigations into vaping-related deaths and illnesses are complete. Two-thirds of the cases being investigated by the CDC involve patients who are 18 – 34 years old.

According to the ADPH, as of October 1, there were 19 Alabama residents under investigation. Of the 19 reports, 4 cases have been identified and 9 other reports are still under investigation in Alabama; 3 have been identified as probable cases; 1 confirmed case (the deceased), of lung disease associated with vaping.