John Boehner has found a new job.
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Boehner’s appointment comes at a time when the tobacco industry is fighting a growing tide of regulation and taxes over its products, including those seen less harmful such as e-cigarettes.
Boehner, reportedly such a fan of Camel Ultra Lights that his successor Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) had to fumigate the speaker’s office before moving in, resigned in October after serving in Congress for 25 years and as speaker for four.
Former House Speaker John Boehner has a new gig – and it’s tied to one of his favorite vices. In August, he launched a six-week, cross-country bus tour to campaign on behalf of more than 20 House Republican candidates.
He has also been linked to tobacco politically, and Reynolds rival Altria, which is behind brands such as Marlboro and Black & Mild, was his eighth largest donor in 2014 with $43,000, according to Opensecrets.org.
Boehner is likely hoping it’ll be easier to oversee Reynolds American’s management than it was to corral rowdy Republican lawmakers. His replacement, House Speaker Paul Ryan, told NBC’s “Meet the Press” previous year that he was working to clean out the cigarette smell in Boehner’s former office.
The former house speaker, a noted heavy smoker, has joined the board at a top tobacco company.
In an interview with MedPage Today, AATCLC co-chairman Phillip Gardiner, DrPH, said tobacco companies have historically provided economic support to groups like the NAACP and the National Urban League to essentially buy their silence.
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– This post was updated at 5:36 p.m.
