Also encouraging the Senate to move quickly in its deliberations is the American Heart Association, which pleaded in its own statement for Hahn, if appointed, to address the growing trend of vaping among young people.

“We urge Dr. Hahn to make the crisis of rising tobacco use and nicotine addiction among youth a top priority,” said AHA CEO Nancy Brown. “Flavored tobacco is what causes most youth tobacco users to begin the habit, and flavors including fruit, candy, mint and menthol have driven the alarming rise of electronic cigarette use among kids in this country. We hope that while this nomination is pending, the administration will move forward quickly to protect America’s children by removing all flavored e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol, from the market.”

Norman “Ned” Sharpless, who has been acting FDA commissioner since Gottlieb's departure, has returned to his position as director of the National Cancer Institute. Brett Giroir, a top official at the Department of Health and Human Services, is currently acting as head of the agency until a permanent leader is found, according to The Texas Tribune.

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