Earlier this week, the Tobacco Merchants Association hosted a conference on the FDA’s proposed tobacco product deeming regulations, which would subject a host of new products — including e-cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco — to the FDA’s regulatory authority.  The Troutman Sanders tobacco team participated in the discussion regarding how the industry can best contribute to the ongoing debate as to how these products should be regulated, if at all.

The morning sessions discussed general practice pointers on how to present constructive comments, as well as specific critiques of the FDA’s proposals.  There also was a panel of scientific and testing experts that addessed the scientific aspects of the FDA’s proposal.  The afternoon sessions consisted of three distinct working groups — consisting of the e-cigarette, pipe tobacco and cigar industries — addressing industry-specific issues associated with the FDA’s proposal.

We came away armed with several new and interesting ways to help our clients during the comment process.  If you are interested in submitting comments on the FDA’s proposal, please give us a call.

For questions and/or comments, please contact Bryan Haynes, Troutman Sanders Tobacco practice partner, at 804.697.1420 or by email.