Respiratory Health Association Condemns FDA’s Authorization of Flavored Vapes

May 7, 2026

This week, the Federal Drug Administration approved the first flavored e-cigarettes for sale in the United States. Respiratory Health Association condemns this action as it endangers the health of Americans, particularly our youth. Teenagers’ developing brains are more prone to addiction.

“Respiratory Health Association is deeply disappointed by the actions of the FDA to authorize the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. To be clear, there is no safe amount of nicotine at any level. Flavored e-cigarettes are deliberately designed and marketed to appeal to youth, opening the door to a new generation of lung disease,” said Rob Anderson, RHA President and CEO.

E-cigarettes contain more than 60 different chemicals, not just water vapor, some of which are known to be toxic and cancer-causing. This includes flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.

The new age-verification technology touted in the FDA’s statement ignores research showing students often get vapes from older friends and family as they are under the legal age to purchase these devices.

Studies have shown that nicotine, the addictive chemical substance found in e-cigarettes, can have harmful effects on the developing brain, including parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.

Vaping can also be harmful to the lungs. “Popcorn Lung,” also known as bronchiolitis obliterans, can cause inflammation and lead to scarring of the airways, which makes it hard to breathe. E-cigarettes may also cause arterial stiffness, impede blood flow, raise blood pressure and heart rate–all of which can lead to heart attacks and other heart-related conditions. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States.

Respiratory Health Association remains committed to advocating for policies and actions that prioritize children’s health over corporate profits. We urge the FDA to reconsider this decision.

If you need to quit smoking, Text DITCHVAPE to 88709 or visit RespHealth.org/Tobacco

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About Respiratory Health Association

RHA has been a local public health leader in Chicago since 1906. RHA works to prevent lung disease, promote clean air, and help people live better through education, research, and policy change. RHA works year-round to help people quit smoking and to eliminate tobacco-related health disparities in which certain groups use tobacco at higher rates than the general population. We achieve this through a combination of policy change, education, and cessation. We focus on preventing tobacco initiation, eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke, and increasing access to smoking cessation resources.