Topic: Vaping Tax

The FDA and Department of Justice are forming a multi-agency task force, including the Postal Service, to combat the "teen vaping crisis." Lawmakers at a Senate hearing criticized the FDA for failing to regulate the 6,000 unauthorized e-cigarette brands currently on the market. The regulatory push is linked to the Tobacco Tax Equity Act, which seeks to reclassify and tax nicotine products at parity with traditional tobacco.

The proposed ban on "combustible" menthol products is viewed by some as a strategic move to transition the market toward smokeless alternatives like Philip Morris's IQOS. As traditional cigarette tax revenues decline due to the rise of vaping, tobacco companies are seeking new high-end products to maintain their state master agreements. The narrative of "saving lives" may mask a broader industry shift toward non-combustible nicotine delivery systems.

Senator Mitt Romney has proposed legislation to ban flavored vapes and impose new excise taxes on nicotine products, which the hosts view as a move to protect the Master Settlement Agreement funds tied to traditional tobacco. Meanwhile, President Trump appears to be reversing his earlier support for a total flavor ban, announcing meetings with vaping industry representatives to find a solution that balances children's safety with job preservation.

Anti-vaping campaigns in the United States, largely funded by Michael Bloomberg, are targeting companies like Juul. Critics argue that the push to ban flavored e-cigarettes is a "scam" designed to protect the interests of Big Tobacco and generate new tax revenue through nicotine levies.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak conclude the episode, promoting a bonus full interview with Steve Pieczenik. The show ends with a musical mix featuring news clips about high taxes on e-cigarettes in Vermont and Italy, as well as a satirical song about the "OTG blues" and the recent attacks on Saudi oil refineries.