Signals from Donald Trump have thrown fresh uncertainty over US plans to restrict flavoured vaping products, as the administration weighs youth prevention against adult use and industry concerns.
Trump said he would meet with representatives from the vaping industry, medical professionals and state officials to “come up with an acceptable solution” to the “vaping and e-cigarette dilemma”, adding that “children’s health & safety, together with jobs, will be a focus”.
He had previously indicated that next steps would be announced this week, but that timeline now appears unclear.
Earlier plan: a broad flavour ban
In September, the administration announced plans to remove all flavoured vape products from the market except tobacco flavour. The proposal was aimed at addressing rising youth use, with sweet and mint-style flavours identified as a key driver of uptake among teenagers.
The policy under consideration applies to nicotine products regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products containing THC remain illegal at the federal level and have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a primary factor in vaping-related lung injury cases.
Alongside flavour restrictions, the administration has also pointed to raising the legal age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products to 21 as part of its approach.
Pushback from both sides
Industry groups and pro-vaping advocates have argued that a full flavour ban could have unintended consequences, including impacts on small businesses such as vape shops and reduced options for adults who use flavoured products.
Gregory Conley of the American Vaping Association said raising the purchase age and introducing tighter sales restrictions would be more effective than prohibition.
Public health organisations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, have warned that any rollback or partial ban could weaken efforts to curb youth vaping. The group said exemptions, such as allowing menthol while banning other flavours, would reduce the effectiveness of the policy.
Administration officials say they are attempting to balance these competing concerns, citing both the potential role of vapes as an alternative for adult smokers and the risk of increased nicotine use among young people.
Internal tensions over flavour approvals
At the same time, a separate policy debate is unfolding within the federal government over whether to allow more flavoured vape products onto the market.
The White House has expressed support for expanding access to flavoured products for adults, while Marty Makary, head of the Food and Drug Administration, has opposed authorising additional flavours, according to reports citing agency documents and officials.
The disagreement has surfaced in the case of Glas, a California-based manufacturer seeking approval for its G2 device and several flavoured pods. Internal FDA records show agency scientists recommended authorisation for multiple products, including menthol and fruit flavours, before senior leadership halted the process.
Only the device itself and a tobacco-flavoured pod have so far received marketing authorisation. Other flavours, including mango, blueberry and menthol, remain under review.
The FDA has said it requires more time to assess the applications, including evidence on whether flavoured products support adult smoking cessation and how youth access risks are managed.
Evidence and regulatory delay
Glas submitted studies involving around 400 adult smokers, reporting reductions in cigarette use and some complete switching among participants using its products. The company has also highlighted age-verification technology built into its device, stating that underage users were unable to activate it in testing.
Despite this, FDA leadership has cited limited experience evaluating such access controls and has delayed decisions on the flavoured products.
The company says its application has been under review for nearly five years, exceeding the statutory review timeline, and argues that scientific recommendations within the agency have not been fully reflected in final decisions.
Wider policy direction still unclear
Officials including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have said the administration is working to increase availability of vaping products that may be used by adults to quit smoking.
Draft FDA guidance issued in March suggests the agency may consider authorising certain flavours, such as mint or coffee, that are seen as more likely to appeal to adults, while remaining cautious on fruit and other sweet flavours.
For now, both the broader flavour ban and individual product approvals remain unresolved. The outcome will depend on ongoing discussions between the White House, regulators and stakeholders, with no confirmed timeline for final decisions.
