FDA wants your input on new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act

June 30, 11:08 PMUS Headlines ExaminerCharisse Van Horn

Previous Next

5 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the US Headlines Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

President Obama has promised us an open government and that is being experienced in a variety of ways. From a daily White House blog and the ability to view the President live via Facebook, it should come as no surprise that the public’s opinion is in high demand from other government organizations. Now, the FDA wants to hear your opinions, comments, ideas and suggestions regarding the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act.

The President signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act into law on June 22, 2009. The Act gives the FDA control over the tobacco industry and will ensure that new changes are made. The goal of the Act is to prevent new smokers, specifically teens and children. A statement issued by Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, Commissioner of Food and Drugs reads:

We're interested in receiving input from across the country as the FDA begins to implement this important new authority intended to reduce the enormous toll of suffering and death caused by tobacco products in the United States. We look forward to the public's response.

According to the FDA more than 430,000 deaths occur due to tobacco products each year. The CDC reports an estimated 60 million U.S. citizens currently smoke or use tobacco products. The financial toll that tobacco use places on the health care system is an estimated 193 billion dollars per year. The new Act enables the FDA the authority to regulate and control how tobacco products are distributed, marketed, and manufactured.

Though the FDA will not be able to respond individually, they will review the comments and implement them in new strategies. The FDA also plans on listing submitted comments and suggestions on the website. If you have suggestions or comments that you’d like to submit, the FDA requests that you first categorize your suggestions using the following categories:

• Federal, State, and local government collaboration
• New product submission and approval
• Product ingredient disclosure
• Prevention
• Tobacco use by specific groups including minors, women, and racial and ethnic minority populations
• Tobacco addiction
• Smoking cessation
• Data collection
• Products with reduced harm/ risk claims
• Enforcement
• Research and testing
• Advertising and marketing of tobacco products
• Label statements and warnings (including graphic warnings)
• Tobacco product standards (including flavors, ingredients, etc.)
• Sale and distribution of tobacco products
• Manufacturing restrictions and facilities controls
• Other

Essentially, the FDA is requesting the public to submrit comments through either written or electronic means. You can send comments, suggestions, or feedback online through Regulations.gov you may also submit your comments to the following address:

Division of Dockets Management (HFA305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane rm. 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

For further information contact:

Erik Mettler, Office of Policy, Food and Drug Administration

10903 New Hampshire Ave., WO1, rm. 4300, Silver Spring, MD 20993, 3017964830, FAX:
3018473541, Erik.Mettler@fda.hhs.gov.

To view a copy of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act you can visit the website: FDA Tobacco

President Obama discusses the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act

 More Information

President Obama signs the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Act