Kroger Joins the Growing List of Retailers Dumping E-Cigs

Even if the electronic cigarette industry survives the coming regulatory onslaught, will users have anywhere to buy its products? Supermarket giant Kroger (NYSE: KR) recently became the latest national retailer to say it would no longer sell e-cigs in its stores or fueling centers.

It was joined by pharmacy chain Walgreens (NASDAQ: WBA), and follows announcements by a list of businesses backing away from the cigarette alternatives because of a sudden surge in lung illnesses and deaths, as well as mounting regulatory scrutiny. With the Food and Drug Administration proposing to ban all flavored e-cigs, and several states already having done so, it's becoming more of a hassle and liability for retailers to keep stocking them.

E-cig users may soon have few places other than dedicated vape shops and head shops to purchase devices and supplies, making them appear like societal outcasts who need to turn up their collars or pull the brim of their hats lower before ducking into a store.

Source Fool.com