Rich Danker, the chief spokesman for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., resigned Wednesday over the administration's decision to greenlight flavored e-cigarettes. In a letter to President Trump, Danker argued the policy would pull more children into vaping and expose them to nicotine addiction, lung damage, and cancer. His exit follows Dr. Marty Makary, the FDA commissioner, who quit Tuesday for the same reason.

The FDA's new policy, posted last Friday, targets removal of illicit e-cigarettes while permitting those that have cleared agency approval. Dr. Makary tried to block flavored e-cigarette marketing but was overruled. Trump personally pushed the initiative forward. Danker's letter echoed Makary's objections, citing senior HHS officials who sought marketing approval for flavors appealing to children despite a March agency policy backed by the White House.

Danker's departure adds to an HHS exodus. Thomas Corry, Kennedy's first top spokesman, quit after two weeks over the Texas measles outbreak handling. With Makary gone, the department now has three major vacancies, including surgeon general and CDC director. The loss of communications leadership complicates messaging on a tobacco policy shift affecting millions of consumers.