FDA announces membership, meeting information for TPSAC; Committee to provide advice on tobacco-related issues

FDA Announces Meeting Information and Voting Membership of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced membership and meeting information for the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC).  The Committee, required through the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act), will provide advice, information, and recommendations to FDA on a wide range of tobacco-related issues.

The first meeting of the Committee, scheduled for March 30-31, 2010, will focus on the health impacts of the use of menthol in cigarettes as it relates to the demographics of users, preferential use by persons initiating tobacco use, and the effects of menthol on addiction and cessation. In addition, consumer perceptions about menthol cigarettes, the sensory qualities of menthol cigarettes, and the effects of menthol on how cigarettes are smoked will be discussed at the Committee's inaugural meeting. 

These discussions are preliminary to the preparation of the Committee's Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the impact of use of menthol in cigarettes on the public's health, required by the Tobacco Control Act.

"FDA will be faced with many challenging tobacco-related public health, science and regulatory issues as we move forward with implementation of the Tobacco Control Act," said Lawrence R. Deyton, M.S.P.H., M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products.  "The breadth of knowledge amassed by this highly-qualified group will supplement and enhance the agency's understanding of tobacco control, prevention, and health promotion issues."

The committee is comprised of 12 members, nine voting and three non-voting.  Of the nine voting members, seven are health professionals representing a wide variety of relevant disciplines.  The other two voting members include a representative from state government and a representative of the general public.

Selection of the three non-voting members representing industry interests is on-going. Ultimately this will include one member from the tobacco manufacturing industry, one representing tobacco growers, and one representative from the small business manufacturing industry.