Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner, resigned after the Trump administration pressured his agency to approve flavored e-cigarettes, including menthol, mango, and blueberry varieties from Los Angeles-based Glas. The move reversed Gottlieb’s prior stance, sparking backlash from public health advocates who linked flavored vapes to youth nicotine addiction. Glas’ products were fast-tracked under a new FDA policy easing marketing rules for flavored nicotine devices, raising concerns about industry influence on regulatory decisions.

The controversy deepened as Gottlieb faced criticism for sidelining safety reviews of mifepristone, a medication used for abortion and miscarriage care. Anti-abortion groups accused him of delaying approvals, while allies argued the FDA’s process was overly cautious. Internally, Gottlieb clashed with colleagues over vaccine policy shifts aligning with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine rhetoric, further isolating him within the agency.

Politico reported that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., not Trump, ultimately ordered Gottlieb’s ouster, though Trump’s administration had to sanction the decision. The resignation underscores tensions between deregulatory agendas and public health mandates, with critics warning the e-cig policy could normalize youth vaping. Gottlieb’s departure also signals a power struggle within the Trump-era FDA, where appointees navigated competing pressures from industry lobbyists and ideological allies.

This upheaval highlights the FDA’s fractured leadership during a pivotal moment for nicotine regulation. With Glas’ flavored e-cigs now on the market, experts fear a surge in adolescent vaping, echoing past tobacco industry tactics. The saga also raises questions about how political interference shapes public health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations.