Alex Azar II has been nominated to serve as the next secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS).
He previously served in the department under George W. Bush and most recently served as the head of the American division of Eli Lilly, a major pharmaceutical company.
If confirmed, Azar will oversee large parts of the federal government’s healthcare, including the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), which has begun regulating cigars.
It’s unclear what thoughts, if any, Azar has on tobacco. Unlike his predecessor, Dr. Tom Price and current FDA head Scott Gottlieb, it doesn’t appear Azar has made public statements on tobacco.
Price resigned in September after weeks of controversy regarding his use of private jets paid for by tax dollars.
Azar will need to be confirmed by the Senate.