John Boehner joins tobacco company board

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Former speaker of the House John Boehner is joining the board the second-largest tobacco company in the United States.

Boehner, a heavy smoker, will become a board member of Reynolds American, the maker of his favorite cigarette, Camel, and other brands like Pall Mall and Newport, the company announced Thursday.

The Winston-Salem, N.C.-based company is expected to top Boehner's $174,000 former salary in his new role as part of Reynolds American's corporate governance, sustainability and nominating committee.

Members of the board, were paid at least $300,000 in fees and stocks in 2015.

Boehner was the president of a plastics and packaging sales company in Ohio before joining Congress in 1990.