A former executive from the tobacco industry has been appointed to a senior leadership position at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sparking concerns among public health advocates and critics about potential industry influence on government health policies.
Stephen Sayle was named in March 2024 as the CDC’s deputy director for legislative affairs. Prior to this role, Sayle worked at Fontem Ventures, a subsidiary of the British multinational tobacco corporation Imperial Brands.
Between 2017 and 2018, Sayle served as the U.S. vice president of corporate affairs at Fontem Ventures. The company specializes in non-combustible tobacco products, including the popular e-cigarette brand blu and the oral nicotine pouch brand Zone.
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