Title: The Omission of Nicotine in RFK Jr.’s MAHA Report: A Missed Opportunity to Address Children’s Health? The recent release of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make Our Children Healthy Again” (MAHA) report has sparked controversy, with many questioning the omission of key terms such as “smoking,” “nicotine,” and “tobacco.” While the report aims to address childhood chronic disease epidemics by mobilizing every part of government, it seems to have missed a crucial aspect: the impact of nicotine on children’s health. The omission is particularly concerning given that tobacco use remains the top cause of preventable death in the United States. With e-cigarette usage among youth skyrocketing and causing severe lung injuries like EVALI, it seems counterintuitive for a report focused on children’s health to overlook nicotine entirely. The historical context behind this omission is unclear; however, it could be attributed to the Trump administration’s previous stance on vaping prevention during President Trump’s first term. Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes, expressed her surprise at the lack of emphasis placed on tobacco and nicotine in the report, given their harmful effects on youth. The potential implications of this omission are significant. By not addressing nicotine use directly, the MAHA report fails to acknowledge one of the leading causes of preventable death among children today. This oversight could potentially undermine efforts aimed at improving children’s health and may even encourage further misuse of e-cigarettes by young people who believe they are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. In conclusion, while the MAHA report aims to tackle childhood chronic diseases head-on, its omission of nicotine use is a glaring oversight that could have serious implications for children’s health in the United States. It highlights the need for more comprehensive and inclusive strategies when it comes to addressing public health issues affecting our youth today.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/09/14/nx-s1-5536979/maha-children-chronic-disease-nicotine-smoking-vaping)
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