Kroger, Walgreens to stop sales of vapor products, will continue combustible sales

Kroger Co and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc said on Monday they would stop selling e-cigarettes at their stores, amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of the product and reports of lung disease and some deaths linked to vaping, according to an article in Reuters.

Their move comes weeks after Walmart Inc said it was pulling the plug on e-cigarette sales, citing growing federal, state and local regulatory complexity and uncertainty. The companies will both continue to sell deadly combustible products.

Kroger said it would discontinue sales of e-cigarettes at its stores and fuel centers after selling through its current inventory, according to the article.

Walgreens, which earlier this year set a minimum age to sell tobacco products at 21 years, said the decision was also reflective of developing regulations in a growing number of states and municipalities.