FORT HOOD, TX — As the vaping trend soars, health concerns gain traction. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is pulling electronic cigarettes and vape products from on-post store shelves.
The decision comes after the Army Public Health Center warned service members last month to avoid vape products after it was linked to hundreds of cases of lung illness and at least six deaths.
“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,” said the Army and Air Force Exchange Service. "The Army and Air Force Exchange Service has removed these products,” they continued.
Advocates say vaping can help people break a cigarette habit and lead to a healthier lifestyle.
“The military does a lot for us already. So I feel like they should at least have the freedom of whether they should vape or not,” said Jaymes Isley, employee at Heights Vapor Station. He says that many of his clients are stationed on Fort Hood down the road.
Several retailers have pulled vape products from their shelves over the past several weeks.
As health officials work to learn more about what's behind vaping illnesses and deaths, there is one thing that advocates and health officials agree on. Consumers should do their research.
“It’s not bad, it’s a much better alternative than cigarettes,” said Isley.
