Other Announcements

General

Register for TTAC's Fundamentals of Evaluation web-based course
This fall, the Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium is offering Fundamentals of Evaluation, a distance learning course for public health practitioners. This 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 course is instructor-led, and offers an interactive and engaging learning experience with visual aids, group discussion, self-assessments, and individual learning activities. Fundamentals of Evaluation is recommended for public health professionals planning, completing, or assisting with an evaluation; decision-makers responsible for selecting a professional evaluator; or anyone with a desire or need to gain a better understanding of the core concepts of evaluation and evaluation planning. The next course will be offered from August 29, 2011 - November 29, 2011. Click here for more information, or click here to register. Register now – course space is limited, and registration will close on August 19, 2011.

Call for Papers: Journal of Environmental and Public Health Special Issue on Tobacco Consumption Patterns
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced a Call for Papers for a special issue of the Journal of Environmental and Public Health which will provide a compilation of research on the emerging science describing tobacco consumption patterns. The epidemiology of smoking has evolved dramatically over the last decade, as it appears that cigarette consumption (cigarettes per day) is continuing to decline. Studies on the association between tobacco control interventions (place restrictions, increase excise taxes, establish secondhand smoke policies) and cigarette consumption patterns are rapidly emerging in the literature. Therefore, studies addressing specific research questions related to cigarette consumption are needed, especially since changes in smoking prevalence have not been consistent across all groups in developed and developing countries (e.g., women, youth, low socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic minorities). Manuscripts are due by October 1, 2011. Click here to read the call for papers.

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FDA Announcements

FDA to independently review menthol cigarettes
Staff within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products will examine studies on menthol cigarettes and release their review in the fall of 2011. Currently, 19 million Americans smoke menthol cigarettes. The FDA is conducting this review to ensure that the best available science is used to support regulatory and programmatic decision making. Read more here, and read the FDA’s 90 Day Menthol Update here.

FDA issues final rule on substantial equivalence requirements
The FDA issued a final rule that describes the process and statutory criteria for requesting an exemption from the requirements for demonstrating substantial equivalence when introducing a new tobacco product to market. Under the rule, tobacco companies are required to either demonstrate that products introduced after February 15, 2007 are equivalent to existing products, or put the newer products through an FDA review process. Click here to view the Substantial Equivalence and Exemption from Substantial Equivalence webpage, which contains an explanation of substantial equivalence and a link to the final rule.

States awarded FDA tobacco retail inspection contracts
This summer, the Food and Drug Administration has begun to award funding to states and territories to assist with enforcement activities to increase compliance with the regulations on youth access to tobacco and advertising regulations that took effect on June 22, 2010. Fifteen states received tobacco enforcement contracts from FDA in 2010, the first year of the enforcement program. As of July 20th, twelve states and the District of Columbia had been awarded contracts for fiscal year 2011. Click here for more information about the agencies that have been funded, or click here to view background information about the FDA tobacco retail inspection contracts.

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