Secretary of Health Nominee Tied to Tobacco

Jan. 16, 2001 (Washington) -- Anti-tobacco advocates aren't too excited about President-elect George W. Bush's pick to head the nation's healthcare system.

Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, Bush's nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), faces Senate confirmation hearings this week. And the long-standing governor of Wisconsin, who is popular and renowned for his pioneering welfare reforms, is likely to be confirmed. But on the road to confirmation, he will face questions on some of key health issues, including tobacco control.

"Thompson is about as good as it gets for the cigarette companies," says Stanton Glantz, PhD, a medical school professor at the University of California at San Francisco. Glantz, who has studied Thompson's tobacco record, tells WebMD, "It's very troubling to have somebody with his intimate ties to the tobacco industry in charge of the FDA, CDC, and NIH."

Thompson is scheduled for hearings on Jan. 18-19 before two committees that share jurisdiction over health issues. The sessions will afford lawmakers the opportunity to question -- and potentially grill -- the Wisconsin governor about his stances and his plans for a cabinet department with a total annual budget of more than $400 billion.

The giant HHS not only administers the Medicare, Medicaid, and children's health insurance programs but also runs the FDA, NIH, CDC, and welfare, substance abuse, and family planning initiatives.

Considering Thompson's allegedly weak tobacco control efforts in Wisconsin and his cozy relationship with cigarette makers, the most intriguing controversy over Thompson's health record may be tobacco.

According to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), "The governor's views and record on ... tobacco control will come out into the open during the hearing process. Tobacco is the number one preventable healthcare problem in the United States, and I intend to raise this question."

Paul Billings, a lobbyist for the American Lung Association, tells WebMD that Thompson has a well-documented relationship with Philip Morris, maker of Marlboro and Virginia Slims. "That causes us some concern," says Billings. "He needs to articulate clearly what measures he supports: Will he support FDA authority [to regulate cigarettes]? Will he fully fund the CDC to do tobacco prevention programs? And does he think that tobacco is addictive?"

Since 1993, Thompson has received well over $60,000 in campaign contributions from tobacco companies, and he's close to some of the industry's top brass. After a 1995 international trip that was largely paid for by tobacco giant Philip Morris, Thompson wrote to an executive there: "I value your loyalty and friendship and look forward to sharing many more great meals. ... I eagerly anticipate our next adventure together." Thompson again traveled overseas on Philip Morris' dime the next year.

But several large health groups that have been prominent in pushing for tighter tobacco controls aren't taking a stand against Thompson.