U.S. Health Secretary Criticizes Slow FDA Action, Vows to Crack Down on Illegal Vapes

Key points:

1.Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, accused the FDA of the Biden administration of slow approval of American-made e-cigarettes, leading to Chinese companies filling the market gap and marketing e-cigarettes to American children.

2.Pledge to eradicate illegal e-cigarette products: Illegal e-cigarette products designed with gaming features are luring children into addiction. He stated to Republican Senator from Florida that he will eliminate and eradicate these illegal Chinese e-cigarettes.

3.The Trump administration's crackdown: The Trump administration's crackdown on Chinese e-cigarettes is seen as advantageous to the Republican Party in the 2026 midterm elections, while the Democratic Party suffered in the 2024 elections due to their inaction on illegal Chinese e-cigarettes.

According to a report from Newsmax on May 15th, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. criticized the FDA of the Biden administration during a Senate hearing for slow approval of e-cigarettes manufactured in the USA, allowing Chinese companies to fill the market void and market e-cigarette products to American children.

He expressed to Republican Senator Ashley Moody from Florida:

"We are going to eliminate these products, we will remove these illegal Chinese e-cigarettes."

A Republican official stated that the Trump administration's crackdown on Chinese e-cigarettes will be a major issue in the 2026 midterm elections. The official praised FDA director Marty Makary for condemning illegal Chinese e-cigarettes, calling it an "attack" on American youth. He pointed out that the Democratic Party suffered in the 2024 elections due to their inaction on illegal Chinese e-cigarettes.

"If Trump can win on this issue, he will help to solidify Republican support among suburban mothers who are concerned about the harmful effects of Chinese e-cigarettes on their children."

The Protecting America Initiative has been actively urging state lawmakers to follow the example of the Trump administration in cracking down on China's attempts to "influence and disrupt America from within." The organization has invested over $500,000 in advertising campaigns targeting suburban women in Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, criticizing the Biden administration for its lax stance on illegal Chinese e-cigarette products.

In addition, the organization also launched an advertising campaign this year condemning the unregulated sale of Chinese e-cigarettes in the United States. Republican Florida Congressman Byron Donalds pointed out in the ad that setting up these barriers could lead to the creation of a black market for these products, which could be even more harmful.