U.S. Health Secretary RFK Jr. Warns Against Chinese Vapes

• RFK Jr. warns of Chinese vapes and confirms a nationwide crackdown.
• Authorities are fast-tracking nicotine alternatives.
• U.S. policy now focuses on a nuanced approach to nicotine products.

In a widely covered interview with Brazilian media, the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. warned of the explosive rise of Chinese-manufactured vapes and gave his view that nicotine pouches are the safest way to consume nicotine.

When asked about the surge of Chinese-made vapes in the USA, often marketed with colourful designs and candy-like flavours, RFK Jr. was clear:

“They are directed towards children. They have these bright colours and candy-like flavours. We are very worried about these vapes.”

He emphasised that the U.S. government is currently conducting a nationwide campaign to clamp down on such products:

At the same time, Kennedy made a clear distinction between legitimate alternative nicotine products and those that are deliberately designed to target children. He confirmed that U.S. authorities are working to fast-track approval for legitimate products that are an alternative to cigarettes. It’s about distinguishing between the levels of harm of nicotine products—a view that is gaining ground in more and more countries.

Perhaps most striking were RFK Jr.’s comments about nicotine itself:

He also outlined a clear risk hierarchy among nicotine products:

“Nicotine pouches are probably the safest way to consume nicotine, with vapes being second. But the thing we really want to get away from are cigarettes.”

Kennedy’s position reflects a growing recognition amongst global policy makers that not all nicotine products are equally harmful. The real enemy, according to him, remains the cigarette, which he says costs the U.S. healthcare system $640 billion a year.

This perspective puts pressure on lawmakers and public health advocates alike to focus on the evidence and public health impact in what is often a highly polarised debate on nicotine.

As the FDA now begins to act with a clarity of focus and a solid evidence base, an important question arises:

As the Tobacco and Vapes Bill moves through Parliament and the government develops its public health policies, ministers, regulatory authorities, and legislators can find inspiration from the approach being taken across the Atlantic. What’s needed here in the UK is the same risk-proportionate and pragmatic approach to alternative nicotine products —especially if we are serious about saving more lives.