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Two HHS Officials Quit Over Trump's Flavored E-Cigarette Push

5/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Two senior HHS officials resigned within days, citing the administration’s push to approve flavored e-cigarettes targeting children.
Rich Danker, spokesman for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., resigned on Wednesday and warned President Donald Trump that flavored e-cigarettes would increase child nicotine addiction, lung damage, and cancer risk.
President Donald Trump advanced the policy despite FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary’s resignation after being overruled to block flavored e-cigarette marketing.

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Story summary

Two senior HHS officials resigned within days, citing the administration’s push to approve flavored e-cigarettes targeting children.
Rich Danker, spokesman for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., resigned on Wednesday and warned President Donald Trump that flavored e-cigarettes would increase child nicotine addiction, lung damage, and cancer risk.
President Donald Trump advanced the policy despite FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary’s resignation after being overruled to block flavored e-cigarette marketing.