Tony Abboud is an attorney and government affairs expert who represents companies in the tobacco and vapor space and who serves as the Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association (VTA) – the U.S. based trade association representing the vapor industry. Abboud was instrumental in founding, growing and leading this important national trade organization, which advocates for rational science-based regulations that will enable a diverse and robust nicotine products industry to thrive as well as promoting tobacco harm reduction policies. Abboud has extensive experience in law, public policy, government and politics. He has represented companies on legal and regulatory issues for more than 25 years, and has advised and consulted with companies in the tobacco and vapor industries on regulatory issues for more than a decade. Among many other things, as the Executive Director of VTA, he crafted VTA’s successful multi-faceted strategic campaign to stop President Trump’s vapor-only full flavor ban from being enacted in 2020. In his work as a state lobbyist, Abboud developed and implemented successful strategies for companies facing simultaneous multi-state legislative challenges in the vapor industry and in the tobacco industry. Abboud is recognized as a leading voice for essential regulations and a balanced discussion of vapor products. He is a frequent speaker at national symposiums and has been extensively quoted in the media, including national print, television and radio.
Abboud left the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP in 2010 to found his consulting firm, Strategic Government Solutions, which focuses on companies and associations in heavily regulated industries, including the tobacco and vapor industries. He has a unique blend of grassroots organizing, political campaign, governmental service, private sector representation and legal experiences to draw on when crafting effective lobbying and communications strategies. Tony lives near Chicago with his wife, a former Cook County prosecutor, and their three children. Tony earned his B.A. in Political Science from Carleton College in 1988 and his J.D. with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1994.