Is Trump Still Planning to Keep His Vaping Promise?

Recent remarks from top health officials in the Trump administration have deepened uncertainty around President Trump’s stance on vaping and nicotine regulation. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently pledged to “fast-track” approvals for certain vaping products. Yet his FDA commissioner seems uninterested in that approach, instead advocating for expanding the crackdown on so-called “illegal products” — including those sold in vape shops.

For many in the independent vaping industry who once believed Trump would protect them, doubts are growing about whether he intends to keep his campaign pledge to “save vaping.”

A Campaign Promise in Question

During the final stretch of the 2024 election, Trump met with Vapor Technology Association (VTA) head Tony Abboud. Soon after, on Sept. 20, he posted on Truth Social:

“I saved Flavored Vaping in 2019… I’ll save Vaping again!”

The VTA represents U.S. e-liquid makers, distributors, and retailers selling both domestic and imported vaping devices. At the same time Trump was making these promises, his campaign was also receiving millions from major tobacco companies — businesses intent on dominating the U.S. vape market and pushing out smaller competitors.

Big Tobacco’s Influence

One major player, R.J. Reynolds — maker of cigarettes and the Vuse vape brand — contributed $10 million to the pro-Trump Make America Great Again super PAC, making it the largest corporate donor. According to The New York Times, Reynolds executives met with Trump multiple times before the election.

The FDA’s current list of authorized e-liquid vape devices skews heavily toward Big Tobacco: eight of the nine products come from tobacco-owned companies. No open-system or bottled e-liquid products, and no flavors beyond tobacco or menthol, have ever been approved.

Flavored disposable vapes, often made in China, have been the most effective alternative to cigarettes — which is precisely why they’re under attack. Since Trump’s FDA restricted flavored pods in 2020, tobacco companies have been working to curb their rise through lawsuits, trade complaints, lobbying, retailer pressure, and state-level “registry” laws favoring their own products.

The Political Smear Campaign

The push against “illegal Chinese vapes” has also been fueled by aggressive online campaigns, some led by Trump-aligned influencers. These attacks have painted the VTA and Abboud as tools of the Chinese Communist Party — an accusation amplified by Laura Loomer and based on a dubious Fox News article.

In reality, Big Tobacco’s strategy appears aimed at convincing Trump’s administration that all Chinese-made products — and by extension, many small U.S. e-liquid businesses that rely on them — are a problem. So far, federal and state officials, including Republicans in Congress, seem receptive.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Since taking office, Trump has shown few signs of protecting independent vape businesses from regulatory overreach. Instead, his administration has taken steps that align closely with tobacco industry priorities: keeping cigarettes and tobacco-company vapes on shelves while making it harder for smaller players to survive.

For example, the Senate’s agricultural/FDA spending bill includes language — reportedly pushed by Altria, maker of Marlboro and NJOY — that would force the FDA to devote nearly 30% of its 2026 budget to vaping enforcement.

The VTA is now using its resources to run ad campaigns urging Trump to follow through on his campaign commitment.

Kennedy’s “Fast-Track” Talk — Déjà Vu?

Earlier this week, HHS Secretary Kennedy told a reporter that the administration is cracking down on Chinese-made vapes marketed to kids — describing bright packaging, candy flavors, and gaming tie-ins — while also “fast-tracking” approval for products that don’t target youth.

While encouraging on paper, this promise echoes assurances from Trump’s first HHS secretary, Alex Azar, in 2020. Azar said the FDA would make the approval process easier for small businesses — a pledge that never materialized, as millions of applications were later rejected without thorough review.

The FDA Commissioner’s Stance

Current FDA commissioner Martin Makary revealed his priorities during his March 6 confirmation hearing. Responding to a question about “illegal Chinese vapes,” Makary painted them as an unknown health risk and emphasized enforcement raids in partnership with the Department of Justice.

Since then, Makary has ramped up product seizures, blocking both disposable and refillable vaping devices — even though nearly all vaping hardware, including open-system devices used with U.S.-made e-liquid, is manufactured in China.

The FDA has also continued issuing marketing denial orders (MDOs) to small American companies. Since Trump’s return to office, 33 such businesses have been ordered to remove products from shelves.

The Reality for Vapers

While Trump’s campaign rhetoric promised to “save vaping,” his administration’s actions so far have favored large tobacco corporations and regulatory crackdowns. Independent vape shops, e-liquid makers, and consumers who rely on these products as a safer alternative to smoking are facing increasing challenges — with little evidence that relief is on the way.

Whether Kennedy’s “fast-track” initiative turns out differently from past unfulfilled promises remains to be seen. But for now, skepticism in the vaping community is high — and patience is running out.