Category: People

U.S. Senate Confirms Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General

Photo: forcal35 from Pixabay
Vivek H. Murthy
The U.S. Senate on March 23 confirmed Vivek H. Murthy as United States surgeon general, reports The Washington Post.
The surgeon general, also known as the “nation’s doctor,” typically serves as a prominent spokesperson on public health issues but has a limited role in policymaking. President Joe Biden wants him to be a key public voice on the Covid response to restore public trust in medicine.
The surgeon general also oversees the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a uniformed service of about 6,000 public health workers who have helped staff the coronavirus response and administer vaccines but struggled earlier this year to get vaccinations of their own.
Murthy first served as surgeon general during the Obama administration, working on public health issues such as the opioid crisis. He also pursued his own work combating loneliness and the stigma of mental illness. He was the nation’s first Senate-confirmed Asian American surgeon general.
His original 2013 nomination was stalled in the Senate for more than a year, in part because gun rights organizations faulted Murthy for saying gun violence was a public health problem—a stance Murthy has continued to espouse.
Murthy is an advocate of e-cigarette regulation. In 2016, he released “E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults,” calling for action to reduce the use of vapor products among young people.
Michael Siegel, a professor at the Boston University School of Public Health, at the time described the report as scientifically dishonest.
Siegel said the report essentially lied about the single most important fact that the public needed to understand about electronic cigarettes and vaping products: that they do not contain tobacco and therefore vaping is not a form of tobacco use.
March 25, 2021
Turning Point Brands Appoints Louie Reformina as CFO

Photo: Jakub Jirsák | Dreamstime
Turning Point Brands has appointed Chief Business Development Officer Louie Reformina, as the company’s new chief financial officer, effective May 1, 2021. Reformina is replacing Bobby Lavan, who will step down after first quarter earnings to pursue a new opportunity. In addition, Brian Wigginton, Turning Point Brands’ chief accounting officer, has been promoted from vice president to senior vice president.
“I would like to thank Bobby for his unceasing commitment to the company,” said Larry Wexler, Turning Point Brands’ president and CEO, in a statement. “Bobby played a major role in improving Turning Point Brands’ capital structure, streamlining the business, making accretive acquisitions and investments and positioning the Company for the growth that we are experiencing today.
“I look forward to tracking his future progress. Additionally, Louie has played an important leadership role in the company by pivoting our focus to higher growth opportunities in cannabis-related and other branded consumer product industries. I am excited to see him expand his responsibilities as we accelerate our growth trajectory.”
“Turning Point Brands is one of the most innovative and well-capitalized companies in the high-growth cannabis-related accessories market,” said Reformina. “Our iconic brands and market-leading distribution platform set us apart in this rapidly evolving space. In addition, our New York Stock Exchange listing helps to provide deep access to the capital markets, which allows us to opportunistically take advantage of acquisition opportunities that are beyond the reach of many competitors.
I look forward to continuing to work with the team to reinvest our substantial free cash flow in high-growth branded consumer products, expand our distribution infrastructure and strengthen our capital position.
Louie Reformina
“As CFO, I look forward to continuing to work with the team to reinvest our substantial free cash flow in high-growth branded consumer products, expand our distribution infrastructure and strengthen our capital position.”
“I would like to thank Larry and the management team at Turning Point Brands for the opportunity to work with them on the Company’s continued evolution,” said. Lavan. “I have been working closely with Louie since he first joined the Company and am confident that his elevation to CFO will help to ensure a seamless transition, while continuing the Company’s focus on growth.”
Reformina joined Turning Point Brands in 2019 and has more than 20 years of financial experience. He previously served in investment roles at Point72 Asset Management, Waterfront Capital Partners, Perella Weinberg Partners and Vestar Capital Partners. He began his career as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs & Co. and received his MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, as well as his B.S. in electrical engineering from Cornell University, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Turning Point Brands estimates that net sales for the first quarter of 2021 will be at the high end or above the previous guidance of $97 million to $102 million provided during the presentation of its full-year and fourth-quarter 2020 results on Feb. 10, 2021.
March 24, 2021
Oscar Health Executive Joel Klein Joins Juul Labs Board
Joel Klein, a top executive at health insurer Oscar Health, has joined the board of directors of Juul Labs, one of the largest e-cigarette companies in the world.
Joel Klein, Credit: NYT
Klein is the chief policy and strategy officer at Oscar, which went public earlier this month in an IPO that valued the company at $8.6 billion, according to Business Insider. He previously spent eight years as the chancellor of New York City public schools under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Politico first reported Klein’s appointment.
“I believe the company must continue to play a critical role in reducing the devastating harm caused by smoking,” Klein said in a statement emailed to Insider. “To accomplish that paramount goal, Juul Labs must, first and foremost, continue preventing underage use of its products.
Oscar declined to comment on Klein’s appointment.
March 22, 2021
Becerra Confirmed Secretary of Health And Human Services

Xavier Becerra (Photo: State of California Department of Justice)
The U.S. Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed Xavier Becerra as President Biden’s secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), reports The New York Times.
Becerra will take charge as the Biden administration is working to lead the nation out of the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden’s selection of Becerra was a surprise, and it set off an immediate debate over whether, as a lawyer, he was the correct choice to lead a department that oversees high-profile medical agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. Republicans argued he was unqualified.
Democrats argued that Becerra had deep expertise in health policy. As California’s attorney general, he led 20 states and the District of Columbia in a campaign to protect the Affordable Care Act from being dismantled by his Republican counterparts. He has also been vocal in the Democratic Party about fighting for women’s health, including access to contraceptives and abortion.
In a tweet earlier this year, Derek Yach, president of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, described the nomination of Becerra as a “serious missed opportunity.”
“At a time of public health crisis, deep expertise in public health, medicine and science should matter,” Yach wrote. “Sadly, this is not apparent in the pick of the lead cabinet health voice.”
James A. Mish, CEO of 22nd Century Group, welcomed Becerra’s appointment, citing his leadership in tackling cigarette addiction.
According to Mish, Secretary Becerra is a long-time proponent of a reduced nicotine cap for cigarettes and tougher regulation for the tobacco industry. While serving as the attorney general of California in 2018, Becerra and five other attorneys general wrote a letter in response to the FDA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, strongly supporting a tobacco product standard for the nicotine level of combusted cigarettes.
“We look forward to joining Secretary Becerra, the HHS and the FDA on tackling the pressing public health tragedy caused by addictive cigarettes that is costing millions of Americans’ lives and billions of dollars each year,” said Mish in a statement.
March 19, 2021
New Advisors to Support 1account’s Plans for Vapor

Simon Bazalgette

Murray Perkins

Ralph Topping

Mark Aylwin
1account, a technology provider to online vendors of age-restricted products and services, has created a new advisory board to support its ambitious plans in the vaping sector, which includes the rollout of a new business-to-consumer ID app to prevent underage access to vape devices and e-liquids online and offline.
Joining the new board are Mark Aylwin, former managing director of Booker; Ralph Topping, former chief executive of bookmaker William Hill; Simon Bazalgette, former CEO of the Jockey Club; and Murray Perkins, former policy director at the British Board of Film Classification.
Following 1account’s success in providing age verification technology to the vaping and gambling sectors, Aylwin will help drive the continued rollout of the company’s online technology and help businesses in the vaping sector make the transition to accepting the company’s new consumer digital ID app, 1account ID, for their online and offline commerce.
The new B2C product will help to prevent unlawful access to vaping products online and in vape retail outlets, convenience stores and supermarkets, aligning with the British government’s strategy to build a Digital Identity Trust Framework.
“The creation of a digital ID for the purchase of vape products online and offline represents a major step forward and will enable vape retailers to take the most proactive stance possible in preventing underage sales of vape devices and e-liquids,” says Aylwin. “1account can offer vape retailers a solution both online and offline that enables compliance for now and the future.”
March 3, 2021
RLX Technology Hires Citigroup Dealmaker as CFO
The China-based vapor company RLX Technology Inc. has hired Lu Chao, Citigroup’s top Asia health-care investment banker, as its chief financial officer, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Credit: RLX Technology
Lu, a managing director and head of Asia health-care investment banking at Citi, is expected to join the U.S.-listed e-cigarette maker as soon as March, the people said. Lu will help RLX Tech to identify expansion and investment opportunities in the health care industry that could apply its vaping technology, said the people, who asked not to be named as the information is private. He will still be based in Hong Kong, they said, according to an article by Bloomberg.
Lu, a Princeton University graduate, joined Citi in December 2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The company, which is known for its RELX-branded devices, raised about $1.4 billion in an initial public offering in the U.S. last month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Lu was a lead banker on the deal, the people said, as Citi and China Renaissance Holdings Ltd. arranged the offering.
Shares in RLX Tech have risen more than 75 percent since its January debut, giving the company a market value of about $32.7 billion.
Representatives for Citi and RLX Tech declined to comment.
February 22, 2021
Nveed Chaudhary Joins Broughton Nicotine Services

Nveed Chaudhary (Photo: BNS)
Broughton Nicotine Services has appointed Nveed Chaudhary as chief regulatory officer.
This appointment is the latest in a series of high-profile additions to the team at the contract research organization specializing in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), as it embarks on its next phase of growth.
Having built a leading reputation for advancing a smoke-free future by helping ENDS companies bring non-combustible products to market, the business is now also moving into modern oral nicotine products, heated tobacco products and cannabidiol products.
“We are absolutely delighted to have brought Nveed on-board,” said Paul Moran, CEO of Broughton Nicotine Services. “He is one of a small number of experts in the industry to have developed scientific and regulatory strategies that have delivered the highly sought-after marketing order for both premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) and modified risk tobacco product (MRTP) applications. Nveed’s depth of knowledge and experience will further help Broughton’s clients shape the future of next generation nicotine products.”
Previously head of harm reduction science at Imperial Brands and director of strategic communications at Philip Morris International, Nveed was a core team member of the successful IQOS PMTA and MRTP regulatory submissions and director for the Myblu PMTA submission program. He is a recognized expert in the nicotine sector, author of over 25 peer-reviewed publications and speaker at international lung disease and tobacco harm reduction conferences.
“My career goal has always been to reduce the burden that lung disease has on patients, society and public health,” said Chaudhary. “To combat the harm effects caused by smoking it’s important to offer consumers high quality, rigorously tested and regulated non-combustible products.
“Broughton Nicotine Services act as the bridge between the industry and global regulators. By applying experience and knowledge we partner with manufacturers to help them secure Marketing Orders for safer next generation products.
“It’s clear that the business shares my drive to accelerate the creation of a smoke-free future and I’m excited to be part of the team.”
February 18, 2021
WHO reappoints Bloomberg as Global Ambassador

Photo: Bloomberg Philanthropies
The World Health Organization (WHO) will reappoint Michael R. Bloomberg as the WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Injuries.
Both as mayor of New York City and as a philanthropist, Bloomberg made it a top priority to combat noncommunicable diseases and their underlying causes. As mayor, he introduced the Smoke Free Air Act and other public health initiatives. His foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, promotes policy solutions around the world that reduce rates of noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease and hypertension as a result of factors such as poor diet while also supporting road safety and drowning prevention initiatives.
Vapor advocates have criticized Bloomberg for his rejection of tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies, and his philanthropies’ attempts to influence policymaking around the world.
Recently, the International Network of Nicotine Consumers Organizations urged Vietnam to exercise “true independence” in its regulation of THR products, citing concern that the country’s regulations would be drafted by Bloomberg-financed organizations.
Anti-tobacco groups welcomed Bloomberg’s reappointment. “Michael Bloomberg is uniquely qualified to focus global attention on this public health crisis and serve as a catalyst for life-saving action around the world, and we look forward to partnering with him and the WHO on proven policy solutions to reduce NCDs and save lives,” said Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, in a statement.
February 4, 2021
SFATA Elects New Board Members Cage,Casey
The Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA) announce the results of its recent elections. In a press release, the vapor industry organization said Robert Arnold (Saffire Vapor) will return as board treasurer. Also returning are board president and CEO April L. Meyers (Northeast Vapor Supplies), board vice president Dave Morris (Vape Gravy) and acting board secretary Lindsey Stroud (Taxpayers Protection Alliance).

New to the board this year are Taylor Cage (Trace/Verify) and Shaun Casey (FlavourArt, N.A).
“Our Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse team of leaders committed to providing strength, longevity, and stability to the vapor business community,” said Meyers. “We are excited to channel Taylor and Shaun’s skills, expertise, and energy into furthering SFATA’s mission. We are delighted they are participating at SFATA’s board level.”
Cage and Casey join SFATA as the association readies to roll-out the Trace/Verify segment of its flagship Responsible Industry Network (RIN) Program. The program’s goals are keeping its member businesses viable and flavored vapor products in the hands of adult consumers, according to the release.
Now seated, the 2021 SFATA Board will begin its work, planning strategy alongside Executive Director, Mark Anton. The board will decide on the association’s annual budget and select its officers during a two-day meeting before March.
January 15, 2021
Keller and Heckman Announces New Partners
Keller and Heckman has announced two new partners, Kathryn Skaggs and Natalie Rainer.
Kathryn Skaggs
Skaggs is a resident in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office and practices food and drug law. She counsels clients on the regulation of food contact materials in a host of jurisdictions throughout North America, Europe, South America and Asia. Skaggs assists companies in bringing to market new food contact substances through submissions to government agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
She manages post-market issues for food contact substances, such as accidental adulterations, and advises on compliance with state laws including California’s Proposition 65. In addition to her extensive experience with food contact regulatory matters, Skaggs is an active member of the firm’s tobacco and e-vapor practice. She helps companies in the tobacco and e-vapor industries comply with the U.S. Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
Natalie Rainer
Rainer is a resident in the firm’s San Francisco, California, office and practices food and drug law, advising clients on regulatory requirements for foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and food and drug packaging in jurisdictions around the world, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
January 14, 2021