The FDA Chief Resigned Over Flavored Vapes

Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Marty Makary resigned in May after clashing with the Trump administration over fruit-flavored vapes.

His departure immediately reignited one of the country’s most heated health debates: do flavored vapes help adults quit smoking, or do they hook the next generation onto nicotine? 

According to reports, Makary privately opposed the FDA’s approval of fruit-flavored nicotine vapes, as he believed vape products heavily attracted teenagers and young adults. The White House pushed forward anyway. 

Why Flavored Vapes Sparked Controversy 

The FDA regulates e-cigarettes and nicotine products under federal tobacco laws. Until this year, the agency had mostly authorized tobacco- and menthol-flavored vape products. Two fruit-flavored products, approved recently, demonstrated a policy shift. 

According to reports, Makary’s opposition of fruit-flavored vapes created tension between him and the Trump administration. While the president desired the authorization of fruit-flavored vaping products, Makary hesitated. Then, when the FDA approved fruit-flavored nicotine pods in the United States, Makary resigned one week later. Makary’s resignation led critics and supporters to view his leave as part of a broader dispute over vaping regulation. 

Makary’s concern stems from growing research on flavored vapes, especially their appeal to adolescents and young adults. Public health researchers identified fruit, candy, and mint flavors to increase youth interest in vaping, which may later lead to youth experimentation with e-cigarettes. 

What Researchers Say About Vaping

Health experts generally agree that vaping exposes users to fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes because vaping does not involve burning tobacco. The cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals—many linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease. For this reason, some researchers view e-cigarettes as potentially less harmful and a better alternative for adult smokers.

However, at the same time, public health agencies agree that vaping comes with downsides.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes how most e-cigarettes contain nicotine: a highly addictive stimulant that affects adolescent brain development.

The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes may also contain potentially harmful substances such as:

• nicotine
• heavy metals (lead and nickel)
• cancer-causing chemicals
• volatile organic compounds
• ultrafine particles. 

Because e-cigarettes have been widely used for only about the past 15 years, researchers are still studying their long-term health effects. A 2022 review published in Toxicology Reports linked vaping to lung injury, cardiovascular problems, neurological symptoms, and inflammation across multiple organ systems, while also noting that scientists still need more long-term human studies to better understand the full health consequences of e-cigarette use. 

Concerns About Youth Nicotine Use

One of the primary concerns around e-cigarettes is their appeal to adolescents and young adults. Public health officials continue to monitor youth vaping rates because nicotine exposure at such a young age can affect attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. According to the CDC, these risks are extremely high because one’s brain continues developing until approximately age 25. 

Researchers have also found that young people develop nicotine dependence relatively quickly—sometimes before regular daily use even begins. Because of the easily addictive nature of nicotine, health experts worry that early exposure increases the rates of long-term addiction. 

These concerns have fueled criticism of vape manufacturers from public health and advocacy organizations. Critics argue that products containing high nicotine concentrations, combined with fruit, candy, and other youth-oriented flavors, make vaping more attractive to young consumers. 

Why the Debate Remains Divided

While many public health groups oppose flavored vaping products, some researchers argue that regulated vape products may help adult smokers reduce or quit cigarette use. Studies have found that nicotine vapes can help some adults transition away from combustible cigarettes, which remain more harmful than e-cigarettes.

As a result, regulators face competing concerns. On one hand, they seek to limit youth nicotine addiction and the appeal of vaping products to adolescents. On the other hand, they must also consider evidence suggesting that e-cigarettes serve as a tool for adult smokers who would otherwise continue using traditional cigarettes. 

Makary’s resignation brought renewed attention to the difficult health policy questions that regulators continue to face. While evidence suggests vaping may expose adults to fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes, concerns about youth nicotine addiction and uncertain long-term health effects of e-cigarette use continue to fuel debate over how flavored vape products should be regulated. 

Bibliography

Blaha, Michael. “5 Vaping Facts You Need to Know.” Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library, John Hopkins Medicine, 2022, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping.

Esteban-Lopez, Maria et al. “Health effects and known pathology associated with the use of E-cigarettes.” Toxicology reports vol. 9 1357-1368. 16 Jun. 2022, doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.06.006

“Health Effects of Vaping.” Smoking and Tobacco Use, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Jan. 2025, www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html.

Lim, David, and Lauren Gardner. “Makary’s Time atop FDA Over, Diamantas Named Acting Commissioner.” POLITICO, Politico, 12 May 2026, www.politico.com/news/2026/05/12/makary-fda-resign-white-house-00916014.

Schreiber, Melody. “Marty Makary Departs FDA after Clashes with Trump over Fruit-Flavored Vapes.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 12 May 2026, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/12/marty-makary-fda-trump-administration.