Despite the Trump administration’s deregulatory rhetoric, the Food and Drug Administration has been on a crusade against e-cigarettes over the past year. Last October, the agency sent a letter to 21 manufacturers threatening to pull new flavors off the market to curb underage vaping. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb doubled down on this tough talk last month, warning that e-cigarette manufacturers will face an “existential threat” from government action lest youth vaping rates continue to rise.

In plain English, Uncle Sam has threatened to ban vaping outright. This is terrible news for cigarette smokers looking to quit, as a recent gold standard study has shown e-cigarettes to be more effective than traditional smoking-cessation products. For the sake of public health, the FDA should roll back its assault on this new technology.