Trump's nominee for Surgeon General has invested in several tobacco companies

The nomination of Dr. Nicole Saphier as U.S. Surgeon General comes amid a backdrop of controversy in the United States regarding conflicts of interest and the relationship between public officials and private interests. Her financial disclosures notably reveal stakes in several tobacco and nicotine companies, which she has pledged to divest if her nomination is confirmed. This nomination also comes as the Trump administration is changing regulations on nicotine products and the industry is increasing pressure on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain approval for new products.