Dr. Marty Makary, Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is facing a wave of criticism from various sides following a controversy over the approval of flavored e-cigarettes.
According to the New York Post, President Trump was reportedly incensed last weekend after Makary blocked the rollout of fruit-flavored vape products featuring ID-scan age verification technology. Just days later, the FDA reversed course and authorized some products, such as blueberry flavor, for sale.
The incident has prompted several groups within the administration and lobbying circles to simultaneously ramp up pressure on Makary.
The newly FDA-approved products use Bluetooth technology, requiring users to scan their identification documents to verify they are 21 or older before the device can be activated.
President Trump has long held the view that if the U.S. bans flavored vapes domestically, the market will be flooded with cheap products from China with lower quality control standards. During his 2024 campaign, he vowed to "save vaping" and protect small businesses in the industry.
In addition to the e-cigarette controversy, Makary has been criticized by some conservative groups for:
Failing to strictly regulate transgender drugs for minors
Involvement in school grants perceived as having progressive leanings
Hiring personnel with previously left-leaning political views
The report also indicates internal administration disagreements over marijuana, psychedelics, and public health policies during President Trump's second term.
Meanwhile, U.S. federal data shows that high school vaping rates have dropped sharply since their 2019 peak. The 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey recorded that approximately 7.1% of high school students had used vapes in the past month, a significant decrease from 27.5% in 2019.
The FDA has not yet issued an official comment on the latest controversies.
