Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently unveiled his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative—an ambitious plan to tackle obesity, pollution, and drug safety. But it notably skips anything about smoking, vaping, or tobacco policy. That’s a hugely glaring oversight.
A Smoke-Free Report
Kennedy’s 100-page MAHA report covers food systems, pesticide exposure, pharmaceutical reform, and environmental toxins. But despite tobacco being the single biggest preventable cause of death in the U.S., the words “tobacco,” “smoking,” and “vaping” are nowhere to be found.
What Was Left Out
Under past administrations, federal agencies like the FDA and CDC made strong attempts to:
- Ban menthol cigarettes
- Reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes
- Tighten regulations on youth-targeted vapes and nicotine pouches
Yet since Kennedy assumed office, the momentum seems to have stalled. His administration recently oversaw the dismissal of more than 10,000 FDA staffers—including a large segment of its tobacco control division.
Public and Political Pushback
The silence on tobacco has sparked frustration among public health advocates and medical groups alike. Over 70 organizations, ranging from cancer research bodies to civil rights watchdogs, have voiced concern over both the policy omissions and the weakening of regulatory staff.
Where Vaping Fits In
Youth vaping remains a persistent problem. Surveys show nearly one in four high schoolers report vaping regularly, and flavored products like pouches and disposables remain easily available. With no mention of these in MAHA and with regulatory staff cuts, it’s unclear how the administration plans to address this growing concern.
Stefan’s Take
Kennedy’s report rebrands public health as “lifestyle optimization”—great for kale, terrible for tobacco. Slashing FDA tobacco staff while setting priorities elsewhere is like fixing the roads and forgetting to fill the potholes. If MAHA is serious about preventing chronic disease, it needs to start with clean air and smoking—not just smoothies and sunbeams. Otherwise, it’s a shiny distraction that leaves America smoking and vaping off the hook.
Sources
- https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/10/rfk-smoking-maha-tobacco-cigarettes-00394863
- https://www.npr.org/2025/05/29/nx-s1-5417346/white-house-acknowledges-problems-in-rfk-jr-s-make-america-healthy-again-report
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-27/rfk-jr-draws-ire-for-tobacco-cuts-amid-war-on-chronic-disease
- https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/public-health-civil-rights-organizations-ask-rfk-jr-reconsider-health-agency-2025-05-27/
- https://worldvapersalliance.com/rfk-jr-called-out-fda-so-why-are-harm-reduction-products-still-being-targeted/
