A Big Tobacco Exec Had Trump’s Ear, and Flavored Vapes Got the Green Light
President Donald Trump’s administration recently cleared the way for flavored vapes to be sold in the US, a move widely criticized as a betrayal of public health. It turns out that this decision wasn’t just a bureaucratic whim – it came after a series of high-level meetings between Trump and top executives from Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris, one of the world’s largest tobacco companies.
According to a report from The New York Times, Trump met with Altria’s CEO, Howard Willard, in the Oval Office earlier this month, where the two men allegedly discussed the merits of flavored vapes. Trump has long maintained close ties to big tobacco, accepting millions of dollars in campaign contributions from the industry and naming a former Phillip Morris executive, **Steven Mnuchin**, as his Treasury Secretary.
But the meeting was just the beginning. Trump’s administration has since been working to relax regulations on flavored vapes, which are particularly popular among young people and have been linked to a surge in nicotine addiction among minors. The FDA had previously announced plans to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, but those plans have now been put on ice.
The Trump Connection
The Trump administration’s cozy relationship with big tobacco has been a source of controversy for years. Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris, has donated heavily to Trump’s 2016 campaign and has been a major supporter of his presidency. In return, Trump has repeatedly taken actions that benefit the tobacco industry – including appointing friendly regulators and rolling back regulations on nicotine products.
What This Means
The decision to allow flavored vapes to be sold in the US has significant public health implications. Nicotine addiction is a major public health crisis, particularly among young people. By allowing flavored vapes to be sold, Trump’s administration is effectively targeting a vulnerable population and putting profits over people’s health. As the vape industry continues to grow, it’s clear that the Trump administration’s priorities are in the wrong place – and that big tobacco is getting exactly what it wants from the White House.
