Tobacco.org

• FDA Gets an Earful 

A desire for clarity on tobacco regulations already put in place by the federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA), including advertising limitations and just what products are included in the ban of most flavored cigarettes, were among the key subjects discussed during the agency's tobacco stakeholder listening sessions, held by the FDA in September. While many attendees were pleased to know their concerns would be heard, they also were less than satisfied by the lack of answers.

Some people were disturbed by the fact that the FDA didn't respond to commentary during the sessions, said Norm Sharp, president of the Cigar Association of America Inc., Washington. He described his own reaction as "not satisfied, but not dissatisfied."

"I just didn't think that given their lack of knowledge about the industry and the newness of their organization, and the need to meet these tight deadlines, I just didn't expect there to be anything beyond a listening session," he told CSP Daily News.

Thomas Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets Inc. (NATO), Minneapolis, attended both of the sessions (one for manufacturers and the other for retailers, importers and distributors), as well as a media briefing. He said that one of the major concerns discussed was the ban on color advertising on tobacco products in retail stores, "which violates the constitutional protection afforded to free speech." (Current litigation from tobacco manufacturers and a NATO retailer challenges the ban.)

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