VTA Backs Trump's RFK Jr. Nomination, Calls for Regulatory Reform

Nov.18.2024
VTA Backs Trump's RFK Jr. Nomination, Calls for Regulatory Reform
VTA supports Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary, citing efforts to reform FDA regulations, reduce smoking harm, and protect small businesses and consumer choice.

The Vapor Technology Association (VTA) recently praised President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), calling it a demonstration of decisive leadership. 

 

VTA stated that the nomination reflects Trump's commitment to addressing government inefficiencies, particularly the bureaucratic regulatory processes led by FDA and the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP).

 

VTA Backs Trump's RFK Jr. Nomination, Calls for Regulatory Reform
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. | Image source: flickr

 

"President Trump has vowed to save flavored vaping and RFK has vowed to Make America Healthy Again by ending chronic diseases driven by the industrial complex. The thousands of small businesses in the vapor industry, the hundreds of thousands of Americans they employ, and the tens of millions of Americans who depend on the industry for freedom to choose less harmful flavored nicotine alternatives to quit smoking, are counting on President Trump, RFK, and the rest of the Trump administration, VTA Executive Director Tony Abboud said.

 

The VTA is calling on the government "to implement a new, streamlined regulatory process that elevates science over politics, that ensures broad access to flavored vapes to end chronic smoking related diseases, and that eliminates bureaucratic conflicts of interest with transparent and rational scientific standards to fix the FDA's current broken regulatory framework. Swift and decisive action can save 500,000 American lives lost to cigarettes every year."

 

VTA Backs Trump's RFK Jr. Nomination, Calls for Regulatory Reform
Announcement content | Image source: VTA

 

Previously, VTA claimed that its e-cigarette voters helped conservative party candidates secure victory in the election. During this election, Abd met face-to-face with Donald Trump, and VTA released a statement at the time thanking Trump for taking two bold and decisive actions in 2019: saving flavored e-cigarettes for adult use and raising the age to 21 to protect teenagers.

 

After the meeting, Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social:

 

"I saved Flavored Vaping in 2019, and it greatly!helped people get off smoking.l raised the age to21, keeping it away from the "kids." Kamala and Joe want everything banned, killing small businesses allover the Country. i'll save Vaping again!"

 

VTA Backs Trump's RFK Jr. Nomination, Calls for Regulatory Reform
Tony Abboud in a photo with Donald Trump. | Source: VTA

 

According to its official website, the Vapor Technology Association (VTA) is a non-profit trade group founded in Washington, D.C., in 2015. It focuses on advancing the vapor product industry, advocating for science-based regulatory policies, and ensuring adult consumers' access to safer nicotine alternatives. Its membership includes device manufacturers, e-liquid producers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers.

 

Capital Group Takes 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Joining Major Foreign Shareholders
Capital Group Takes 5.61% Stake in KT&G, Joining Major Foreign Shareholders
KT&G disclosed in a regulatory filing on Friday that Capital Research and Management Company, the investment management arm of Capital Group, had acquired a 5.61% stake through purchases made on April 22 and May 4. The move places Capital Group among KT&G’s prominent foreign shareholders, alongside BlackRock, First Eagle Investment Management and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts Hosts UK Vape Duty Stamp Compliance Exchange in Shenzhen
2Firsts held a UK vape duty stamp compliance exchange in Shenzhen on May 14, bringing together representatives from nearly 20 companies. The session addressed Vaping Products Duty, duty stamp applications, UK agency qualifications and warehousing, while introducing 2Firsts Compliance Solutions’ UK service.
Events
May.17
LOST MARY Launches VIZ With Transparent Wraparound Pod and LED Display
LOST MARY Launches VIZ With Transparent Wraparound Pod and LED Display
LOST MARY announced VIZ on May 6, 2026, describing it as the brand’s first product with a transparent 360-degree wraparound pod.
May.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
mperial Brands’ HY26 results point to a more selective NGP transition. The company is using cash flow from traditional tobacco to fund targeted investments in modern oral nicotine, heated tobacco and reusable vaping systems. Its decision to exit the legacy myblu vaping business in the U.S., while expanding Zone nicotine pouches. In Europe, Imperial’s NGP growth is being driven by a multi-category portfolio including blu, Pulze and Zone/Skruf.
Special Report
May.12
New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead
New West Virginia Vape Law Begins, With Packaging and Ad Restrictions Ahead
West Virginia’s Vape Safety Act will take effect Thursday, requiring vapor products sold in vape and smoke shops to carry health warnings, legal-age notices, manufacturer information and ingredient disclosures, while introducing new licensing and enforcement rules.
Jun.10
WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning
WHO’s First Global Report on Nicotine Pouches: Harm Reduction Questions Remain Amid Global Regulatory Warning
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day 2026, WHO released its first global report on nicotine pouches, warning that rapid market growth, youth-oriented marketing and weak regulation are converging. 2Firsts views the report as an important warning, but not a complete risk assessment, with harm-reduction questions still unresolved.
Special Report
May.17