Knives out for FDA head Marty Makary after he blocks, then OKs vape flavors

ision by Makary to approve the fruity vapes with new age-gate technology. This decision came after months of delay and intense pressure from President Trump, who was reportedly unhappy with Makary’s initial opposition.

The move to approve the flavored vapes with age-gate technology was seen as a significant shift in policy, especially considering Trump’s previous ban on most US-made flavor options. The approval of fruit-flavored vapes, including mango and blueberry, from California manufacturer Glas was met with mixed reactions.

Critics, including anti-abortion campaigners and social conservatives within the administration, have seized on this opportunity to attack Makary on various fronts. Some have accused him of undermining Trump’s campaign pledge to save the vaping industry, while others have criticized his support for controversial initiatives such as the distribution of abortion pills by mail.

Makary’s connections to a “far-left” Chicago charter school and his meeting with representatives of Arnold Ventures, a philanthropic organization, have also come under scrutiny. Some within the administration have raised concerns about his staffing choices, including the hiring and subsequent firing of Vinay Prasad, a onetime supporter of Bernie Sanders.

Despite the mounting pressure and internal turmoil, Makary’s allies have come to his defense, suggesting that his decisions are in line with the administration’s broader goals. They argue that his support for bail reform and youth initiatives, as well as his efforts to ease the therapeutic use of psychedelics, are in line with the administration’s agenda.

As Makary navigates these challenges and attempts to secure his position as FDA commissioner, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining his fate. The ongoing intrigue within the administration and the criticism from various quarters will test his ability to balance competing interests and maintain the confidence of President Trump. The vaping industry has seen a recent update in flavor approvals, as revealed online by nicotine industry attorney Gregory Conley. Conley, a strong advocate for flavor options in e-cigarettes, has long argued that these flavors can help cigarette smokers transition to a potentially safer alternative, ultimately saving lives. His stance on flavors seemed to influence former President Trump during a 2019 debate over a proposed flavor ban.

Trump, during the discussion, expressed concerns about potential issues with Chinese-made vape products flooding the market if US manufacturers were barred from offering flavored options. Despite the flavor ban going into effect, Chinese-made vape devices with a variety of flavors are now widely available in the US.

In the upcoming 2024 campaign, Trump has vowed to reverse the trend of banning flavored vaping products. He highlighted his previous efforts in 2019 to save flavored vaping and increase the minimum age for purchasing these products to 21. Trump’s campaign statement emphasized his commitment to supporting small businesses and preserving vaping options for adult consumers.

Conley has criticized Dr. Makary for allegedly undermining Trump’s position on flavored vapes. Makary, in contrast, has raised concerns about teenage addiction to vaping products and advocated for stricter regulations on US companies selling Chinese-made vape devices.

Recent federal data indicates that teen vaping rates have declined significantly over the past decade. The 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey reported a decrease in vaping among high school and middle school students since the implementation of higher age restrictions on nicotine products.

Despite the ongoing debates and controversies surrounding flavored vapes, Conley remains optimistic about the potential benefits of FDA-approved vaping products. He believes that regulated products undergoing FDA review are likely to be safer than those from unregulated Chinese manufacturers.

While there may be differing opinions within the administration regarding flavored vapes, the recent approval of new age-gating technology aims to address concerns about underage access to these products. This technology requires ID verification to unlock vape devices, potentially mitigating the risk of youth vaping.

Dr. Makary’s supporters suggest that he is not swayed by lobbying efforts from vaping firms and remains focused on aligning with Trump’s broader healthcare goals. Makary is particularly interested in expediting the approval of new medicines, including treatments for cancer.

As the vaping industry continues to evolve and face regulatory challenges, the FDA’s stance on flavored vapes remains unclear. The ongoing debate underscores the complex dynamics between public health concerns, industry interests, and governmental regulations.