Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Trump backing off banning vaping flavors popular with teens

Two White House and campaign officials say Trump has grown reluctant to move forward after becoming convinced that a ban could alienate voters he needs for re-election.

A man smokes an electronic cigarette in Chicago.
A man smokes an electronic cigarette in Chicago.Read moreNam Y. Huh / AP File
    by Jonathan Lemire and Darlene Superville, The Associated Press
    Published 

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is backing away from the idea of banning most flavored e-cigarettes.

Trump announced a proposed ban in September, saying he wanted parents to be aware of what a problem vaping had become among teens. He made the announcement in the presence of first lady Melania Trump, who does not believe e-cigarettes should be available to children.

But two White House and campaign officials say Trump has since grown reluctant to move forward after becoming convinced that such a step could alienate voters he needs for re-election who would be financially or otherwise affected by such a ban.

The officials were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations.

Lobbyists, conservative groups and Republican lawmakers have also warned Trump that a vaping crackdown could cost him with voters.