Key Points
- FDA authorized fruit-flavored vapes;
- Durbin criticized Big Tobacco influence;
- Illegal vape sales remain disputed;
- Makary’s exit drew political scrutiny.
2FIRSTS, May 15, 2026 — According to the official website of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Durbin spoke on the Senate floor on May 13, criticizing the Trump Administration’s Food and Drug Administration for approving the sale and marketing of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes and allowing some illegal vaping products to remain on the market.
In his remarks, Durbin said the FDA authorized flavored e-cigarettes for the “first ever” time and claimed the decision followed pressure from President Trump. He also said tobacco companies donated to Trump’s election, inauguration and related events with the expectation of favorable treatment.
Durbin said scientists, doctors, parents and the FDA’s own studies acknowledge that sweet and fruity flavored e-cigarettes are responsible for addicting children to nicotine. He added that health experts he has spoken with believe the true share of high school students vaping is at least 40%.
On health risks, Durbin said e-cigarettes contain formaldehyde, chromium, nickel and lead, and cited a recent study as finding that vaping is likely to cause cancer. He said the public should not trust Big Tobacco’s promises that it will not market to children.
Durbin also criticized the FDA for allowing scores of illegal vapes to remain on the market, saying those products had not first proven to the agency that they were “appropriate for protection of public health,” as required by law. He described the move as a “gift” to vaping and cigarette companies including Altria and RJ Reynolds.
Durbin linked the issue to the departure of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. He said that although he did not agree with Makary on every issue, he appreciated Makary’s focus on protecting children from Big Tobacco.
Durbin concluded that whether the issue involves drugs, medical devices or tobacco products, it is not a good idea for the White House to pressure regulators to approve applications. He said such pressure could lead to “deadly consequences” and called on Republican colleagues to speak out.
The video page on Durbin’s website is titled “Durbin Condemns Trump’s Concessions To Big Tobacco.” The audio and TV footage of Durbin’s Senate floor remarks were made available.
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