Frances Daniels’ experience with her child’s severe lung injury has drawn attention to the ongoing public health crisis surrounding e-cigarettes and vaping. Her son endured six terrifying weeks in the hospital fighting EVALI, a serious lung injury associated with e-cigarette use. The child went through a brutal procedure with six tubes up into their lungs to drain the fluid. So real and frightening, this experience underscores the substantial risks and hazards associated with vaping products. The situation underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to youth vaping that includes addressing nicotine and traditional tobacco products.
In fact, during his first term, President Donald Trump made the fight against youth vaping one of his signature issues. In 2019, he sat down with Frances Daniels to talk about the negative effects vaping has had on our kids. Detractors say his administration has not gone in that direction with the actions they’ve taken. The recent report from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding childhood health has been criticized for failing to address the risks associated with nicotine and smoking.
Criticism of the Report
Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes, said she was disappointed that the report stopped short of recommending stronger action on vaping. She reiterated the need to have the conversation about youth vaping. Without an equally robust federal framework to combat tobacco use, these efforts begin to ring hollow.
“An educational campaign isn’t a compelling substitute for enacting tobacco regulation to keep these products out of the hands of kids and teens.” – Priya Fielding-Singh
Brian King, former head of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the omission of smoking and tobacco from discussions on chronic diseases related to vaping. First, he said, trying to take action on youth health concerns while ignoring tobacco is pointless.
“Something to combat chronic disease without tobacco control is like attempting a triathlon without a bicycle — you are destined for failure before leaving the starting line.” – Brian King
The report’s focus on e-cigarettes, while neglecting traditional tobacco products, raises questions about its overall efficacy in addressing childhood health concerns.
The Impact of Policy Changes
The Trump administration made deep cuts to tobacco regulations. They cut the Office of Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decision dramatically undermined federal oversight. It resulted in the elimination of all state funding for state tobacco control programs, leading many to be unable to operate even a minimal program. Critics argue that these policy shifts have created a void in efforts to regulate tobacco and vaping products effectively.
Moreover, under Trump’s administration the Food and Drug Administration rescinded proposals to prohibit menthol-flavored cigarettes, which are well-documented to attract youth, especially minority youth. Similarly, flavored tobacco and nicotine products tend to attract youth. This trend is deeply troubling to health advocates, who worry about their long-term impact on youth smoking rates.
Jonathan Foulds, a public health expert, acknowledged that nicotine itself is not perceived as a major public health concern for children. He made clear that we should not downplay the risks of vaping, while acknowledging that we shouldn’t scare people about how dangerous vaping is.
“We shouldn’t exaggerate the risk of it; we should be glad that they’re not smoking.” – Jonathan Foulds
Frances Daniels explained, nicotine and vaping are still dangerous to your health. Her firsthand experience navigating her child’s hospitalization only adds to the urgent need for better regulatory actions.
“Nicotine is harmful, as well as the process of vaping — they’re both harmful.” – Frances Daniels
Recent Developments in Vaping Regulation
In a savvy and aggressive move, the US Health and Human Services Department just announced an $86 million bust on illegal e-cigarettes. This move comes as part of the administration’s goal to more strictly regulate vaping products and protect young people from the products’ clear dangers. We all agree—health advocates and more—that we need more comprehensive strategies. These strategies are critical to address the larger epidemic of tobacco use by young people.
This, of course, is what some people would have you believe about oral nicotine pouches being less harmful than cigarettes. Fears over their accessibility and appeal to young people continue to linger. The lack of evidence showing that adolescents who begin vaping transition into smoking later complicates the narrative around vaping’s role in tobacco use.
These conversations about children’s health are long overdue. We’re focused on finding the best solutions that are smart and holistic to cover the wide spectrum of nicotine and tobacco regulation.
