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Trump hints at softening of vaping flavor ban | TheHill

posted onNovember 23, 2019
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Article snippet: MORE on Friday signaled he is walking back a long-delayed proposal to remove all flavored e-cigarettes from the market, amid concerns over job losses and the dangers of counterfeit products. Vaping and tobacco industry representatives and conservative groups clashed with patient advocates during a heated White House meeting, as Trump said he is worried about the effects of a complete flavor ban. “If you don't give it to them, it is going to come here illegally,” Trump said, adding “they could be selling something on a street corner that could be horrible.” Trump expressed support for the industry-backed proposal of raising the age limit for tobacco purchases to 21. “Twenty one, we are going to be doing,” Trump said. The “listening session” was called to help the White House enact a plan to combat a massive surge in teen vaping. New federal data shows that more than 5 million teens are now vaping, and many prefer flavored e-cigarettes. Two months ago, Trump and the administration’s top health officials sat in the Oval Office and announced their intent to clear the market of every flavor of e-cigarettes except for tobacco. At the time, Trump cited a massive spike in teen vaping and the spread of a mysterious vaping-linked illness that has now sickened more than 2,000 people across the country and resulted in nearly 50 deaths. But the administration has been sending mixed messages ever since, and multiple reports earlier this week said Trump spiked the ban after hea... Link to the full article to read more

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