While Donald Trump, the new president of the United States decided to put Scott Gottlieb at the head of the FDA (Food and drug administration), a controversy regarding a possible conflict of interest arises. Indeed, the one who will be responsible for managing the regulations concerning the e-cigarette industry has worked for over a year in a company that sells vaping products.
SCOTT GOTTLIEB, THE VAPE AND A CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Some anti-vape associations were quick to step up because from March 2015 to May 2016, Scott Gottlieb, the future commissioner of the FDA was director of Kure Corp., a company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, which distributes and sells e-liquids and e-cigarettes in lounge cafes where you can vape. According to financial and ethical information released, Gottlieb still had a financial interest in the company as of March, but he promised to sell his shares if his appointment was confirmed.
Gottlieb's time at Kure Corp may constitute a conflict of interest as the FDA has vigorously decided to enforce these new vaping regulations (released in May 2016) and these are changing the economy of an industry that previously was not regulated.
Vince Willmore, spokesperson for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids does not hesitate to denounce this situation: "" How to regulate e-cigarettes is one of the most important topics the FDA will face in the years to come.Adding " Given his financial interest in an electronic cigarette company, Dr. Gottlieb clearly has a conflict of interest. »
Yet Gottlieb promised in his Government Ethics Office-approved filing that, in addition to selling his shares, he would refuse any interaction with Kure Corp for one year after he resigned from the board. For Willmore, " He should 
go further and refrain from any decisions involving the regulation of vaping for at least a year from the time its shares in Kure Corp were sold. »
« If confirmed, Dr. Gottlieb will carry out his duties as FDA Commissioner impartially and in the interests of Americans. " said Leslie Kiernan, attorney at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, on his behalf.
» The Office of Governmental Ethics and professional ethics officials from the Department of Health and Social Services have certified that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations and that it will continue to follow these high ethical standards. »
The arrival of Scott Gottlieb as head of the FDA may be good news for the vaping industry, but it seems that some have already taken the lead in order to prevent any changes to the regulations in progress.
Source : Bloomberg.com
