President Donald Trump’s pledge to “save vaping” is drawing criticism from vapers and harm-reduction advocates, who say his administration has instead overseen a crackdown on the very products he promised to protect.
In September 2024, Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social that he would defend flavoured vapes if re-elected. “I saved flavored vaping in 2019, and it greatly helped people get off smoking,” he posted.
“I raised the age to 21, keeping it away from the ‘kids.’ Kamala [Harris] and Joe [Biden] want everything banned, killing small businesses all over the country. I’ll save vaping again.”
Backlash from vape community
Since returning to office, however, federal enforcement actions have targeted vape distributors and products, drawing pointed responses across the vaping community.
Harm reduction advocate Dan Marlin posted on X: “What happened @realDonaldTrump to saving flavored vaping for adults?”
Brent Stafford, a political commentator, opinion columnist and TV producer, reposted a Regulator Watch item on X, adding: “Burned Again. Trump promised to save vaping. Instead, his FDA staged the biggest vape seizure in U.S. history while fast-tracking nicotine pouches. Betrayal stings.”
Other users echoed the sense of frustration. An account under the name @DezH115111 posted: “Make vaping great again!!” alongside a Bart Simpson gif of judges holding up zeros with the caption “EPIC FAIL.”
Kevin, a consumer posting as @VapingHistorian, said: “Raise your hand if you voted for @realDonaldTrump because he made a campaign promise to save flavored vapes but are now p***ed off because you’re just realizing it was a big fat LIE and he has ZERO intention of saving flavored vapes!!!”
Backdrop of Trump’s first term
The criticism comes against the backdrop of Trump’s first term, when he initially promised to crack down on flavoured vape sales amid a surge in teen use. After backlash from small businesses and adult consumers, his administration narrowed the policy.
The final version banned most sweet and fruity vape cartridges from convenience stores but allowed menthol cartridges and bottled e-liquids to remain available through vape shops.
At the time, industry leaders credited him with striking a balance. Tony Abboud, executive director of the Vapor Technology Association, said after meeting Trump in 2019 that raising the purchasing age to 21 while preserving flavoured e-liquids represented “two bold and decisive actions.”
Now, some independent creators and vape advocates say his second term has moved in the opposite direction. Long-time vaping content creator @GrimmGreen hosted a June 2025 stream titled, “Does ANYONE Believe Trump Will Still Save Vaping?”
Lance Churchill, who frequently posts about the independent vape sector, wrote last year urging Trump to “come through” for the industry. This week, he posted: “It’s been over one year since you promised to save flavored vaping @POTUS, and the American independent vaping industry is being crushed..”
With millions of American adults using vaping products, the industry is closely watching how the administration’s policies unfold.
