Trump Wants to Be the Hero Vapers Don't Really Need

"By the time Zeller received that December call, he says, the White House had different instructions for the FDA: Limit the ban to pod-based vapes, like Juuls, and leave menthol flavors alone. Zeller says this softer touch "absolutely" came about because Trump, heading into the 2020 election year, got spooked by pushback to his original plans. "The White House," Zeller says, "went into political retreat.""

"Almost seven years later and well into his second term, Trump is vice-signaling even more aggressively to the pro-vape crowd and the industry that supplies it. The payoff is unclear, given that vapers make up a relatively small chunk of the voting public, and a vast illicit market is already there to serve virtually anyone jonesing for a flavored e-cigarette-but that hasn't stopped Trump's FDA from making things official."

"Earlier this month, reportedly under pressure from Trump, the agency authorized the sale of blueberry- and mango-flavored vape juices made by the company Glas, the first time the agency has given its stamp of approval to e-cigarette flavors other than tobacco and menthol. "Our data show that flavored products can play an important role in helping adult smokers move away from combustible cigarettes, while our technology is designed to help limit youth access and support responsible use," a Glas spokesperson tells WIRED."

"Still, according to The New York Times, that decision was the final straw for recently departed FDA commissioner Marty Makary, who was concerned about the products' appeal to kids. Zeller, who"

In December 2019, FDA Center for Tobacco Products leadership received instructions to narrow a planned e-cigarette flavor ban. Earlier, the Trump administration had promised to remove e-cigarettes in all flavors except tobacco to address youth vaping, when nearly 30% of American teens used nicotine. By the time of the call, the White House directed the FDA to limit the ban to pod-based vapes and to leave menthol flavors alone. The change was attributed to political pressure ahead of the 2020 election. Years later, the FDA authorized blueberry- and mango-flavored vape juices from Glas, marking approval beyond tobacco and menthol. The decision raised concerns about youth appeal and contributed to commissioner Marty Makary’s departure.

Read at WIRED