FDA: Tobacco companies must report chemical

Tobacco companies are required to report the level of hazardous substances contained in cigarettes, chew, and other products according to the latest rules aimed at tightening regulation of the tobacco industry.

Preliminary guidance on Friday by the Food and Drug Administration will be the first tobacco manufacturers will be required to report on the number of 20 chemicals linked to cancer, lung disease and other health problems. FDA will publish information in a consumer-friendly format in the following April.

"Cigarettes are only a mass product is consumed in this country, for which consumers are not aware that they are still," said Dr. Lawrence Deyton, director of the FDA tobacco center, in an interview with Associated Press.

Ammonia, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde is a component or by-products of tobacco, which are subject to new rules.
Regulators have identified more than 93 harmful or potentially harmful chemicals in tobacco products, although the agency account for only 20 for the coming year. The Agency will accept comments until June 4 manual. There is no date when the documents will be final.

The law, passed in 2009 gave the FDA power to regulate some aspects of tobacco marketing and production, although the agency can not prevent nicotine. FDA has also granted the right to set standards for levels of harmful ingredients in tobacco products, although the agency does not use that power.

The same law allows the agency to adopt new tobacco products that can be marketed as safer than what is currently for sale.
In separate guidance on Friday, FDA presented research this will require, before any company can sell the so-called change-risk tobacco products. Companies must provide a comprehensive test data on health risks for users and not users, changing consumer behavior and understanding of marketing materials for new products.
"The law sets a high standard to ensure that tobacco products are sold to reduce the risk actually reduces the risk," said Deyton.

Processing of the FDA-modified risk products was highly anticipated by both public health and the big tobacco companies who are looking for new products to sell, as they face declining demand due to an increase in cigarette taxes, health problems, smoking bans and social stigma.

Some tobacco companies have alternatives like snus - little bags, like tea bags that users stick between the cheek and gum - and dissolving tobacco - finely ground tobacco in the form of spheres, rods and strips. But they obviously are not positioned as a less risky as cigarettes.
FDA requires responding to the statement by the company within one year after its introduction and adoption. FDA officials would not comment on how many applications were filed to date.