Other Announcements

General

Newly updated Legacy factsheets
The Research section on Legacy’s website offers resources for tobacco control practitioners and researchers, including factsheets on a variety of topics. A new four-page fact sheet has been developed on tobacco use and cessation trends among individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES). The fact sheet also addresses the associations between SES and secondhand smoke exposure and negative health effects. Recently updated factsheets include: Smoking in Television; African Americans and Smoking; and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Communities and Smoking. Click here to obtain more information regarding Legacy’s fact sheets.

International Call for Papers: Research to reduce tobacco-related inequalities around the world
The Tobacco Research Network on Disparities (TReND), funded by the National Cancer Institute and Legacy Foundation, has issued an International Call for Papersto better understand the role of social stratification in global tobacco-related inequalities. Selected papers will be featured in a special journal issue published by Cancer Causes and Control. Manuscripts should be submitted by email to Allison Rose by Monday, April 18, 2011. Click here to download a copy of the Call for Papers, and learn more about the research questions and guidelines for submitting a manuscript.

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FDA Announcements

Menthol cigarettes and public health: Review of the scientific evidence and recommendations
In accordance with the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the FDA Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) has issued a report and recommendations about the impact of menthol cigarettes on public health. While the report states that there is insufficient evidence to indicate that menthol cigarettes carry greater health risks than unflavored cigarettes, the committee notes that it is biologically plausible that menthol makes cigarettes more addictive, and noted that removing menthol cigarettes from the market would improve public health. The FDA does not have to take action based on the recommendations, but will begin to examine the evidence and release a progress report within 90 days. Click here for an overview of the process of creating the report, download the full report, or view a statement from Dr. Lawrence R. Deyton (Director, Center for Tobacco Products). The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Newport cigarette manufacturer Lorillard have also released statements about the report.

2011 Compliance Training for Tobacco Retailers Webinar Series
The FDA Center for Tobacco Products is hosting a new series of one-hour webinars on federal tobacco regulations. Designed to give retailers updated, relevant FDA compliance training information, the series features an interactive format with topics based on retailers’ suggestions and live Q&A sessions during each webinar. The first webinar took place on March 29, and addressed regulations restricting the sale of tobacco to minors. The remaining webinars are scheduled for April 26, May 18, June 28, July 26, and September 20, all at 1 pm EST; topics are to be determined, and retailer input and suggestions are desired. Archived versions will be available soon after each webinar presentation and downloadable PowerPoint presentations are posted 1-2 weeks before each scheduled webinar date. Click here for more information.

FDA Center for Tobacco Products has a new Spanish-language website
The FDA Center for Tobacco Products website is now available in Spanish. The website is part of CTP's efforts to reach the Spanish-speaking community and provide key information while working together with a variety of stakeholders to reduce the public health burden of tobacco use. The website contains the latest news from FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products; the Break the Chain of Tobacco Addiction retailer education campaign website; a digital timeline of the Tobacco Control Act highlighting past achievements and upcoming deadlines required by the Act; and federal resources on youth tobacco prevention, effective treatment for nicotine addiction, and tobacco research and statistics. Materials to promote the website such as sample emails, tweets, and text messages are available in Spanish and in English. View the Spanish-language website at www.fda.gov/tabaco.

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