Democrats own stock in Big Tobacco while backing a new tax that economists say will drive smokers back to cigarettes. Consumer advocate Lindsey Stroud and political communications pro Christian Josi join guest host Jim McCarthy, AVM’s communication advisor, to discuss whether Democrats will face a rebellion at the ballot box. Plus, the Media Lapdogs of the week.

Alex Norcia of Filter Magazine and Guy Bentley of the Reason Foundation join AVM’s Amanda Wheeler to discuss the nomination of Robert Califf to head the FDA, Alex’s recent reporting on FDA’s “fatal flaw” approach to reviewing PMTAs, and Guy’s take on the how the vaping tax will push in more people smoking cigarettes. Plus, the Media Lapdogs of the week.

Michelle Minton of the Competitive Enterprise Institute and Helen Redmond of Filter Magazine join AVM’s Amanda Wheeler to discuss the latest on the proposed Nicotine Tax, Helen’s latest piece on the FDA’s approach to vaping, Michelle’s declaration that the “teen vaping crisis” is over, Dr. Cother Hajat’s review of studies on vaping, and the most misleading media coverage on vaping from the past week.

Tim Andrews of Americans for Tax Reform and Matt Culley of Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association join AVM’s Amanda Wheeler to discuss the latest on the proposed Nicotine Tax, the World Health Organizations crusade against vaping, the latest news out of the lawsuits against the FDA, and the media coverage of the first increase in cigarette sales in twenty years.