Trump Wants to Be the Hero Vapers Don’t Really Need
President Trump is actively promoting flavored vapes, a shift from his earlier stance against them. This change appears to be influenced by political considerations as he seeks to appeal to a demographic that is not a significant voting bloc. The FDA recently authorized flavored vape products, raising concerns about their appeal to youth.
- ▪Trump's administration initially planned to ban flavored e-cigarettes but later softened the approach under political pressure.
- ▪The FDA recently approved blueberry and mango-flavored vape juices, marking a significant policy shift.
- ▪Concerns have been raised about the appeal of flavored vapes to children, prompting criticism from former FDA officials.
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Jamie DucharmeCultureMay 20, 2026 7:00 AMTrump Wants to Be the Hero Vapers Don’t Really NeedThe White House says Trump’s pro-vape stance is based on “gold standard science.” It feels more like vice-signaling to a demographic that often doesn’t vote—over products that are widely available.Play/Pause ButtonPausePhoto-Animation: WIRED Staff; Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyIn December of 2019, Mitch Zeller, who at the time ran the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, got an urgent phone call from a fellow staffer at the agency.A few months earlier, President Donald Trump and his administration had vowed to take e-cigarettes in every flavor except tobacco off the market to quash a youth vaping epidemic that, at the time, saw almost 30…
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