Other Announcements

General

Register now for TTAC's Fundamentals of Evaluation web-based course
This spring, the Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium is offering Fundamentals of Evaluation, a distance learning course for public health practitioners. The 12-week web-based course guides participants through the evaluation process – from planning to reporting results – while giving them the opportunity to develop their own evaluation plan. The instructor-led course offers an interactive and engaging learning experience with visual aids, group discussion, self-assessments, and individual learning activities. The next course will be offered from February 28, 2011 - May 20, 2011. Click here to register. The registration deadline is February 18, 2011.

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FDA Announcements

FDA: Agency must review tobacco products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued guidance to the tobacco industry this month about how to apply for review of certain products to ensure compliance with the Tobacco Control Act. The FDA is requiring tobacco companies to provide the agency with information about products that have been introduced or changed since February 15, 2007 in order to determine if they are substantially equivalent in terms of ingredients, design, and health effects to products available before then. Based on this information, the FDA can ban a product if it is found to increase the health risks posed to consumers compared to products made before the 2007 date. Companies have until March 22, 2011 to submit applications regarding existing products; after that date, companies planning to introduce new products must get FDA approval prior to bringing them to market. Click here for an overview of substantial equivalence from FDA, or click here for frequently asked questions on the requirement and application submission. Read the full guidance document for the tobacco industry here.

FDA Center for Tobacco Products launches online clearinghouse
The FDA Center for Tobacco Products is pleased to announce that Break the Chain of Tobacco Addiction promotional materials are available to order online. Break the Chain is a campaign designed to educate retailers and raise awareness about tobacco product regulations, as well as protect kids from the dangers of tobacco use and its negative health effects. It is free, quick, and easy to order eye-catching Break the Chain promotional materials, including: posters, flyers, bookmarks, mirror/window clings, and stickers. There is no cost for ordering or shipping the materials, though maximum quantities apply. Click here to visit the clearinghouse. New retailer education materials, such as a Retailer Toolkit and Spanish language materials, will be added so check back often!

FDA-CTP posts an update on its progress in implementing the Tobacco Control Act
The FDA Center for Tobacco Products has posted a progress update spanning October 1, 2010-January 15, 2011 outlining its progress in implementing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act). Click here to read the progress update.

New leaders appointed at FDA Center for Tobacco Products
The FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has announced the selection of Ann Simoneau as the Center’s director of the Office of Compliance and Eric Lindblom as the inaugural director of the Office of Policy. Ann Simoneau joined the FDA in 2001 and has worked in FDA's New England District Office, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications, and the Center for Devices and Radiological Health Office of Compliance. Prior to working for FDA, she was a practicing litigation attorney in Boston for several years. Eric Lindblom will be responsible for developing and coordinating CTP public health policies and strategies necessary to implement the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act). This will include the continuous evaluation of CTP’s tobacco product regulation policies in order to assure that the law’s public health goals are driving programmatic initiatives across science, regulations, compliance, public education, and management programs within CTP. For the last 12 years, Eric has served in senior leadership roles at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

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