A top nominee for surgeon general under the Trump administration has disclosed financial ties to major tobacco and beverage corporations, including Philip Morris International, Monster Beverage, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi, according to newly released ethics filings. The nominee, Nicole Saphier, has agreed to sell off or reduce her holdings in these companies as part of an ethics pledge, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest in a public health leadership role. The revelations come amid growing scrutiny over industry influence in government health policy. Critics may examine whether such investments could impact decisions on regulations affecting tobacco and sugary drinks.
President Trump’s surgeon general nominee reported investments in the tobacco company Philip Morris International as well as beverage companies Monster Beverage Corp, Coca Cola Co. and Pepsi Co., according to financial disclosures released Thursday. Nicole Saphier disclosed these investments in an ethics agreement, where she pledged to completely or partially divest from those companies, as...
