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Washington (CNN) - Melania Trump remains committed to preventing boys from using electronic cigarettes, says the first lady's office, even when President Donald Trump is putting political considerations above his previously announced plan to ban flavored electronic cigarettes that attract minors.
The first lady was an essential part of Trump's announcement and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, in September, during a meeting before the media in the Oval Office, in which the president declared that there would be new “recommendations very strong ”to ban the use of flavored electronic cigarettes.
In addition, the Food and Drug Administration was expected to publish new and more complex guidelines for the sale of electronic cigarettes. The first lady had previously tweeted her interest in the subject, making a rare foray into a public policy issue.
“I am deeply concerned about the growing epidemic of the use of electronic cigarettes among our children. We need to do everything possible to protect the public from diseases and deaths related to tobacco, and prevent electronic cigarettes from becoming a ramp for access to nicotine addiction for a generation of young people, ”he tweeted.
On Monday, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham told CNN that the first lady is still as committed as ever to keeping electronic cigarettes out of the reach of children.
“Through her initiative, Be Best, Ms. Trump has placed her priority on the health and safety of children. She doesn't believe that electronic cigarettes or any nicotine products should be marketed or available to children, ”said Grisham, who manages the press for both the east and west wing of the White House.
The first lady's statement does not explicitly contradict any position of the Trump administration, but highlights the potential tension between the president and the first lady on the issue.
