U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday picked William Corr, a prominent anti-smoking advocate, as deputy health secretary.

Corr will help health secretary-designee Tom Daschle "bring about real health care reform," Obama said in a statement.

Corr is currently executive director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a privately-funded group that aims to educate the public about smoking and gather support for initiatives to "fight Big Tobacco."

He served as chief of staff at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the Clinton administration, and was chief counsel and policy director for Tom Daschle when the incoming HHS chief was Senate minority leader.

"The time has come to bring about real health care reform in this country, and that means modernizing our health care system, reducing costs to families and business and providing affordable health care for every American," Obama said.

"This will be no small task, but reforming our health care system will be a top priority of my administration and key to putting our economy back on track. Bill Corr has the depth of experience and commitment to this issue necessary to take on this challenge," Obama said.

Last Thursday, the Senate held its first confirmation hearing for Obama's appointees beginning with Daschle.

Daschle pledged bipartisan healthcare reforms as health secretary.

Source:Xinhua