US President Donald Trump has appointed Pastor Darrell Scott, a longtime political ally and supporter, as an adviser on tobacco-related health issues to the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Trump announced Scott’s appointment in a statement on Tuesday, describing the pastor as a respected faith leader and a strong advocate for underserved communities across the United States.
According to the president, Scott will advise his administration on tobacco-related health matters and contribute to efforts aimed at protecting Americans from what he described as dangerous tobacco products.
Trump said Scott’s experience working with communities that have historically faced social and economic challenges would be valuable to the administration’s efforts to address tobacco-related health concerns.
“I am pleased to announce that Pastor Darrell Scott, a longtime friend, respected Faith Leader, and tireless Advocate for America’s Underserved Communities, will be serving my Administration and me as an Advisor for tobacco health issues on the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) in the CDC,” Trump said.
The appointment comes amid the administration’s stated focus on examining the health effects of tobacco products and exploring measures that could reduce tobacco-related harm among Americans.
Trump said tobacco-related diseases had taken a significant toll on American families over the years, with some underserved communities bearing a particularly heavy burden.
“For far too long, tobacco-related disease has taken an enormous toll on American Families, including Communities that have too often been overlooked and underserved,” the president said.
He argued that Scott’s familiarity with these communities made him well positioned to contribute to the administration’s efforts.
“Pastor Scott understands these Communities, and the challenges they face, and he knows how to bring people together to get results,” Trump added.
The president said Scott’s role would form part of efforts to fulfil a campaign promise to take a closer look at tobacco-related health issues and strengthen protections for Americans.
“Delivering on a Campaign promise, his work will help ensure that we take a serious look at how we can better protect Americans from dangerous tobacco products, while supporting solutions to reduce harm and save lives,” Trump said.
Scott is a prominent pastor and has maintained a longstanding political relationship with Trump. The president used his announcement to highlight the pastor’s support for his political movement, noting that Scott had been associated with him from its early stages.
“Pastor Darrell Scott has been with us from the very beginning. He is a great leader with a tremendous heart for the people of our Country,” Trump said.
The president expressed appreciation to Scott for accepting the new responsibility and indicated that the appointment reflected his administration’s broader health policy priorities.
Scott’s selection also underscores the administration’s emphasis on engaging leaders with strong community networks in addressing public health challenges. As an influential faith leader, he is expected to bring his understanding of underserved populations to discussions concerning tobacco use and its health consequences.
The Advisory Committee to the Director is connected to the CDC’s leadership and provides advice on matters relating to the agency’s public health responsibilities. Scott’s appointment places him in a position to contribute to discussions surrounding tobacco-related health policies and potential strategies for reducing associated risks.
Trump’s announcement did not provide details on the specific initiatives Scott would oversee or the frequency with which he would advise the CDC leadership. However, the president framed the appointment as part of a broader effort to reassess how tobacco-related health challenges are addressed, particularly among communities that have historically received less attention.
The administration also linked the initiative to its stated objective of reducing harm and saving lives, while examining the risks posed by tobacco products.
The appointment is likely to attract attention because of Scott’s close political ties to Trump and his history of supporting the president. Nevertheless, Trump emphasised Scott’s community leadership and advocacy work as key reasons for his selection.
By appointing a trusted political ally to the advisory role, Trump is seeking to combine community engagement with his administration’s stated health policy objectives on tobacco.
The president concluded his announcement by thanking Scott for taking on the responsibility and reiterating his administration’s commitment to addressing health concerns associated with tobacco products.
The new appointment comes as public health authorities continue to confront the long-term consequences of tobacco use, while governments and health organisations examine policies designed to prevent tobacco-related disease, reduce exposure to harmful products and protect vulnerable populations.
For the Trump administration, Scott’s appointment represents another step in its effort to address tobacco-related health concerns while fulfilling what the president described as a campaign commitment to take a more serious look at how Americans can be protected from dangerous tobacco products.
