Since his election, President-elect Donald Trump has been actively making appointments for his second-term cabinet and key federal agencies. Within the public health sector, he has made the following nominations:
- Secretary Department Health and Human Services (HHS): Robert Kennedy Jr., environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner: Dr. Marty Makary, surgeon and public policy researcher at John Hopkins University
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director: Dr. Dave Weldon, medical doctor and former Florida GOP Congressman
- U.S. Surgeon General: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, New York physician and Fox News Contributor
Overall, Trump has been making unconventional picks for federal leadership positions to shake up the status quo of federal government. Nominating Kennedy is one of the more controversial picks due to his past statements regarding vaccines. As it relates to tobacco and nicotine, Kennedy has not said much publicly, although there is a picture of him on the internet holding Zyn nicotine pouches.
Similarly, the other public health nominees have not said much regarding key tobacco issues. Recently, Dr. Nesheiwat was on Fox News noting the decline in smoking and the progress for public health.
All these nominees will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
During his campaign, Trump said on his social media platform he would “save vaping again.” In addition, the Trump Administration will face key decisions regarding tobacco and nicotine issues. In April 2024, the Biden Administration delayed finalization of the menthol cigarette and flavored cigar bans until after the election because “the proposed rules have garnered historic attention.”
The fate of these rules will rest with the incoming Trump Administration. New leadership for both the FDA and the CDC could lead to policy changes at the Center for Tobacco Products such as more efficient processing and more approvals of premarket tobacco product applications (PMTAs) and further prioritization of enforcement around illicit vapor products.
Without question, 2025 will be a dynamic year on the federal level for tobacco and nicotine regulations.
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