Anti-Vaping Official Confirmed as US HHS Secretary
The US Senate has confirmed Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Biden administration. He will now lead the department that oversees the FDA, CDC, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Becerra to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Biden administration.<\/span><\/div>
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Washington—California Attorney General Xavier Becerra will now lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS oversees the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, all of which directly handle regulations concerning products considered tobacco and drug abuse.<\/span><\/div>
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Becerra will be the first HHS Secretary to implement the long-awaited public health policies of the Biden administration, which cover infectious diseases and preventive health.<\/span><\/div>
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Of course, this includes regulations on e-cigarettes and non-cigarette tobacco products as well as heated tobacco products being classified as tobacco products.<\/span><\/div>
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Becerra was confirmed by a vote of 50 to 49, indicating he is one of the most controversial nominees in Biden's administration. Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins voted in favor of the nomination alongside Senate Democrats. Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono chose not to vote.<\/span><\/div>
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U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer stated in a statement: "Their arguments are almost absurd."<\/span><\/div>
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"Complaining that he lacks direct medical practice experience, even as Republicans unanimously voted to confirm pharmaceutical executive Alex Azar, the former HHS Secretary, who raised drug prices and attempted to undermine our nation's health law."<\/span><\/div>
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During his tenure as California Attorney General, Becerra led a collective lawsuit against several major e-cigarette companies, such as Juul Labs. For instance, at the end of 2019, Becerra sued Juul, accusing the company of deceptive marketing practices and targeting young people.<\/span><\/div>
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He was also a major supporter of San Francisco's attempt to ban the sale of nicotine and cannabis vaping products. He may publicly support national restrictions on e-cigarettes and tobacco control measures for products classified as tobacco.<\/div>
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