A leading vaping industry advocate has warned that Democratic positions cracking down on vaping and nicotine pouches could backfire as many Americans across the country are single-issue voters on that issue.
Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association, has raised concerns that Democratic positions cracking down on vaping and nicotine pouches could backfire in the upcoming midterm elections. He argues that many Americans are single-issue voters when it comes to smoking alternatives.
Abboud told Fox News Digital that the Biden administration has "made it clear" that they have "no desire to have less harmful nicotine products on the market." He alleges that special interest groups funded by individuals like Mike Bloomberg are influencing this stance.
Democrats' War on Smoking Alternatives Could Backfire in the Polls, Vaping Advocate Warns
"Those consumers are the ones that are using the variety of flavored vaping products that are available to help them quit smoking, because this is the first thing that has helped them — so many smokers who have tried to quit over many years, it’s the first thing that's really helped them succeed," Abboud said.
He emphasized that voters who are concerned about being able to easily access tobacco alternatives are more likely to support Republicans, such as former President Trump.
Democrats' War on Smoking Alternatives Could Backfire in the Polls, Vaping Advocate Warns
Abboud cited data showing that significant majorities of swing-state voters agree that vaping products should not be banned, but instead the FDA should focus on harm reduction.
"We know where President Trump stood in 2019, and if you think about the common sense approach that he took, it changed everything in this country as it relates to youth vaping and so, yeah, we are hopeful that that thinking will continue," he said.
Democrats' War on Smoking Alternatives Could Backfire in the Polls, Vaping Advocate Warns
Abboud also pointed out that crackdowns on smoking alternatives often hit minority communities the hardest, as the people who smoke and suffer from smoking-related diseases are predominantly from lower-income communities.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris-Walz campaign for comment but did not receive a response.
Democrats' War on Smoking Alternatives Could Backfire in the Polls, Vaping Advocate Warns
