Advertisement
Advertise with us
sidenav

Will Trump’s New FDA Commissioner Help Save Vaping?

In this article we will cover
Is Gottlieb good for vaping?
Or will it be more of the same?
Advertisement
Advertise with us

President Trump will nominate Scott Gottlieb to be the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The appointment requires approval by the Senate, after confirmation hearings are held.

The FDA commissioner oversees more than a dozen sub-agencies, including the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), which last year imposed regulations that deemed e-cigarettes and some other nicotine-containing products, like lozenges and pouches, to be under their control.

It would be within the control of the new commissioner to fire CTP director Mitch Zeller, and to replace his staff. He could also decide to take a new direction in regulating vaping, or to not regulate it at all.

Is Gottlieb good for vaping?

Will Dr. Gottlieb change the FDA’s course on regulating e-cigarettes? It’s impossible to know, but there may be some encouraging signs.

First, he understands some of the issues — or at least he did in 2013. That was when he wrote an article for Forbes that correctly identified some of the issues at the CTP. He described the FDA tobacco center — and the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) that created it — as being precariously balanced between fulfilling its mandate to encourage the production of reduced-harm products and satisfying the anti-tobacco zealots whose influence has grown since the TCA passed.

The success of the CTP “was dependent on FDA being able to establish – and maintain – a regulatory path that let tobacco get approval for new products that posed a ‘reduced harm’ over traditional smoked cigarettes,” he wrote. “It always seemed a naïve aspiration — that FDA would ever sanction such products – and even more uncertain that the anti-tobacco crowd would let this paradigm advance.”

Quote

It’s encouraging to see a health policy expert who isn’t a wild-eyed anti-nicotine true believer.

He repeatedly refers to the “anti-tobacco crowd” and even calls them “activists,” which is exactly correct. These are the same people deadset against allowing vaping to gain a toehold in the market. “Activists have managed to infiltrate the middle ranks of the agency’s center,” wrote Gottlieb, referring to the CTP. It’s encouraging to see a health policy expert who isn’t a wild-eyed anti-nicotine true believer.

Dr. Gottlieb works for the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a conservative think tank that has been generally pro-vaping (and other tobacco harm reduction products). AEI is also the home of Dr. Sally Satel, the Yale psychiatrist who has been one of vaping’s most visible defenders recently.

Or will it be more of the same?

On the other hand, Gottlieb has close ties to the pharmaceutical industry, which has been an opponent of consumer nicotine products in general, and vaping specifically. Gottlieb is a partner in a venture capital firm, where he is involved with health-related investments.

He has also served as a consultant or board member for several pharma companies, including GlaxoSmithKline, maker of Nicorette gum and NicoDerm nicotine patches. He received more than $400,000 from pharma companies from 2013 to 2015, according to the New York Times.

According to Reuters, a recent survey of 53 pharmaceutical executives found that 72 percent preferred Gottlieb over other candidates who had been in the running. Pharma bosses seem relieved that Gottlieb was chosen.

Gottlieb has served at the FDA before, doing several jobs at the agency during the George W. Bush administration, including deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs. Gottlieb seems to be respected even by those who disagree with his conservative stances on some health care issues. Former FDA lawyer John Taylor told the Times that Gottlieb was open minded and showed great attention to detail. “Scott and I have different ideological backgrounds, but I recognize that he does have a record of doing things that are for the benefit of the consumers.”

Advertisement
Advertise with us
Latest Reviews
Article preview image
Freemax REXA PRO & REXA SMART Review: Too Smart?

The Freemax REXA PRO and REXA SMART are highly advanced pod vapes, offering seemingly endless features, beautiful touchscreens, and new DUOMAX pods.

Wed Jul 30 2025
Article preview image
OXVA XLIM Pro 2 DNA Review: A Match Made in Heaven!

The OXVA XLIM Pro 2 DNA is powered by a custom-made Evolv DNA chipset, offering a Replay function and dry hit protection. Read our review to find out more.

Fri Jul 18 2025
Article preview image
SKE Bar Review: A Reusable Crystal Bar!

The SKE Bar is a 2 mL replaceable pod vape with a 500 mAh battery, a 1.2-ohm mesh coil, and 35 flavors to choose from in 2% nicotine.

Mon Jul 7 2025
Advertisement
Advertise with us
Latest Learn
vaping taxes
Vaping Taxes in the United States and Around the World

Because of declining cigarette sales, state governments in the U.S. and countries around the world are looking to vapor products as a new source of tax revenue.

Thu Jul 31 2025
How Old Do You Have to Be to Vape?
How Old Do You Have to Be to Vape?

The legal age to buy e-cigarettes and other vaping products varies around the world. The United States recently changed the legal minimum sales age to 21.

Tue Jul 1 2025
Where vaping is banned or restricted
Vape Bans: E-Cigarette Restrictions in the U.S. and Worldwide

A list of vaping product flavor bans and online sales bans in the United States, and sales and possession bans in other countries.

Fri Jul 4 2025
About Authors
Jim McDonald
845 posts

Smokers created vaping for themselves without help from the tobacco industry or anti-tobacco crusaders, and I believe vapers and the vaping industry have the right to continue innovating to give everyone who wants to use nicotine access to safe and attractive non-combustible options. My goal is to provide clear, honest information about vaping and the challenges nicotine consumers face from lawmakers, regulators, and brokers of disinformation. You can find me on Twitter @whycherrywhy

See author’s profile
Vaping360.com strives to be the world's most trusted resource for vapers and smokers. We take pride in our editorial integrity, accuracy, and the honesty of our writers.
Read more about us

Rely on Our Expertise

At Vaping360, we take pride in our deep expertise and years of experience in the vaping industry. Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to leveraging their extensive knowledge to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Authenticity

Genuine insights backed by thorough and exhaustive research and testing.

Reliability

Consistent, accurate information from the vaping industry experts.

Empowerment

Transparent and reliable content for confident and informed decision-making.

About us

Our mission is clear: to help people who smoke transition to low-risk alternatives and contribute to a smoke-free world. With each article we publish and each review we conduct, we're working towards this goal.

about-us-banner
product preview