Janice R. Andrews
A recent survey reveals that nicotine users played a significant role in securing Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election. The poll, conducted by Cygnal and shared exclusively with DailyMail.com, shows that 56% of nicotine users who voted supported Trump, a notable boost compared to his overall popular vote of 49%. This group proved crucial in swinging the election in Trump’s favor.
Nicotine Users Propel Trump’s Success
The survey, which included responses from 2,200 nicotine users, shows a strong preference for Trump among this demographic. Among nicotine pouch users—like the well-known Zyn brand—62% backed Trump, while just 33% supported Vice President Kamala Harris. Other nicotine product users also showed significant support for the Republican candidate:
- Cigarette users: 57% voted for Trump, while 40% supported Harris.
- Vape users: 54% voted for Trump, compared to 43% for Harris.
- Menthol cigarette users: 54% supported Trump, with many citing their opposition to Biden’s menthol ban.
These statistics suggest that nicotine users were a decisive factor in Trump’s 2024 win, particularly in states where this demographic has a strong presence.
Biden’s Menthol Ban and Its Backlash
The proposal to ban menthol cigarettes has been a contentious issue under the Biden administration. In 2021, President Biden revived efforts to ban menthol products, citing health concerns, particularly their higher popularity among vulnerable groups, including Black Americans.
Despite these concerns, the ban faced significant backlash. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra recently announced a pause on the menthol ban, acknowledging that further discussions were needed before any action could be taken.
However, many nicotine users—particularly those who use menthol cigarettes—felt targeted by the proposal and saw it as an overreach. This sentiment contributed to their support for Trump, who campaigned against such regulations.
Minority Nicotine Users Shift Toward Trump
One of the most striking findings of the Cygnal poll was the increased support for Trump among minority nicotine users:
- Hispanic nicotine users: 47% voted for Trump in 2024, a significant increase from his 37% of the Hispanic vote overall. This is a marked improvement from his 28% support in 2016 and 32% in 2020.
- Black nicotine users: 31% supported Trump, compared to just 18% of Black voters overall. This is a remarkable increase from his 8% share in 2016 and 12% in 2020.
The push to ban menthol products may have contributed to this shift. Menthol cigarettes are especially popular among Black smokers, and many viewed the proposed ban as unfairly singling out their community. Rep. Don Davis, a Black Democrat from North Carolina, spoke out against the policy, saying, “We pushed back against the menthol ban. I’m not sure how it was rolled out would have benefited anyone.”
Zyn and the Controversy Around Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine pouches, especially the Zyn brand, have gained significant popularity in recent years. According to the Cygnal poll, 66% of Zyn users supported Trump in 2024.
However, these products have faced criticism from Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who warned about their potential to target teens. Schumer called Zyn a “pouch packed with problems” and urged federal officials to investigate its marketing practices.
For many nicotine users, these criticisms were seen as government overreach, solidifying their support for Trump’s anti-regulation stance.
Implications for Democrats
The 2024 election results highlight a challenge for Democrats: balancing public health policies with the concerns of minority voters. The menthol ban and other nicotine-related measures may have alienated key groups, particularly Black and Hispanic voters, who feel disproportionately affected by such policies.
The findings also suggest a broader trend of increasing Republican support among Hispanic and Black voters, especially those who use nicotine products.
Conclusion
Nicotine users, often overlooked in political analysis, emerged as a crucial voting bloc in the 2024 election. Their strong backing of Trump, particularly in response to Biden’s menthol ban, significantly impacted the election results.
As Democrats move forward, it will be important for them to address the concerns of these voters while continuing to prioritize public health. The 2024 election serves as a reminder of how targeted policies can have unintended consequences, shaping the electorate in unexpected ways.
