Walmart is getting out of the vaping business.

The nation91裸聊视频檚 largest retailer said Friday that it will stop selling electronic cigarettes at its namesake stores and Sam91裸聊视频檚 Clubs in the U.S. when it sells out its current inventory.

It said the move is due to 91裸聊视频済rowing federal, state and local regulatory complexity91裸聊视频� regarding vaping products. It also comes after several hundred people have mysteriously fallen ill after vaping, and eight have died.

Walmart91裸聊视频檚 decision is the latest blow to the vaping industry, which has tried to position its products as healthier alternatives to smoking cigarettes, which are responsible for 480,000 deaths a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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But the industry has come under increased scrutiny after the deaths and illnesses 91裸聊视频� along with a surge in underage vaping.

President Donald Trump has proposed a federal ban on flavoured e-cigarettes and vaping products. Michigan banned the sale of flavoured e-cigarettes this week. In June, San Francisco became the first major U.S. city to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes.

The bulk of e-cigarettes are sold through vape shops, which number about 115,000 nationwide, with additional outlets including drug stores, grocery stores and tobacco outlets, industry experts say.

E-cigarettes represent a very small part of Walmart91裸聊视频檚 nicotine business, which also includes traditional cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and nicotine gum, so the impact on the retailer will be small.

But, it will be difficult for vaping companies to replace that access to shoppers given Walmart91裸聊视频檚 size, said Greg Portell, global lead partner in the consumer and retail practice of A.T. Kearney, a strategy and management consulting firm. Walmart operates more than 5,000 stores under its namesake and Sam91裸聊视频檚 Club in the U.S.

91裸聊视频淲almart91裸聊视频檚 size and scale makes their decisions about what products to carry meaningful for the impacted products,91裸聊视频� Portell said. 91裸聊视频淰aping companies will be especially challenged given the lack of direct consumer access.91裸聊视频�

The Vapor Technology Association, a trade group, was quick to slam Walmart91裸聊视频檚 move against vaping products while keeping cigarettes on its shelves.

91裸聊视频淭he fact that Walmart is reducing access for adult smokers to regulated vapour products while continuing to sell combustible cigarettes is irresponsible,91裸聊视频� Tony Abboud, executive director of the association, said in a statement. 91裸聊视频淭his will drive former adult smokers to purchase more cigarettes.91裸聊视频�

More than 500 people have been diagnosed with breathing illnesses after using e-cigarettes and other vaping devices, according to U.S. health officials. An eighth death was reported this week. But health officials still have not identified the cause.

The Associated Press

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