[HealthyTribes] Message to listserv - FDA comment period OPEN

[Banning Lily]

Good afternoon,

We would appreciate if you could please share the following email with members of the Healthy Tribes listserv at your earliest convenience. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Many thanks,
Lily & Vaida


Dear Tribal TPEP Grantees,

You may have heard that the FDA recently proposed rules prohibiting menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes<https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-08994.pdf> and all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in cigars<https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2022-08993.pdf>. These rules are based on clear science and evidence establishing the addictiveness and harm of these products and build on the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which prohibited all characterizing flavors (other than tobacco and menthol) in cigarettes in 2009.
The proposed rules will be a historic step towards protecting young people, advancing health equity, and saving the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) who have been historically targeted by the tobacco industry. Tribal lands in the U.S will be subject to these rules as they are federal regulation, however they will not apply to traditional (ceremonial) tobacco.
Beginning May 4th, the public can provide either electronic or written comments on these proposed rules. Public comments will be open for only sixty days, following further review by the FDA before being finalized.
For more information:

  *   FACT SHEET<https://www.fda.gov/media/158015/download?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> (FDA)
  *   How to submit comments and join informational listening sessions (FDA)<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fda.gov%2Ftobacco-products%2Fproducts-guidance-regulations%2Fsubmit-comments-tobacco-products%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgovdelivery&data=05%7C01%7CVaida.Liutkute-Gumarov%40dhsoha.state.or.us%7Cca1d580059ce48dc89fd08da2de05315%7C658e63e88d39499c8f4813adc9452f4c%7C0%7C0%7C637872739172780549%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ifzvPIbRagAcYfrYPKzMJXarIOM769NoTAYySk630f8%3D&reserved=0>
  *   Tips for submitting effective comments<https://www.regulations.gov/document/FS-2018-0053-0007> (Regulations.gov)
  *   VIDEO: Quick step-by-step on how to submit & what to include in your comments<https://youtu.be/VC048k3Zwco> (Public Health Law Center-PHLC)
  *   TALKING POINTS: menthol<https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Talking-Points-Menthol-Cigarettes.pdf> and characterizing flavors in cigars<https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Talking-Points-Cigars.pdf> (PHLC)
  *   WEBINARS: Brief analysis of proposed rule on menthol cigarettes<https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/webinar/menthol-cigarettes-fdas-proposed-product-standard> and flavored cigars<https://www.publichealthlawcenter.org/webinar/flavored-cigars-fdas-proposed-product-standard> and key points to address in your comment (PHLC)


Comment Period Open Date: May 4, 2022
Comment Period End Date: July 5, 2022
To submit your comments to the FDA through the online docket, click here<https://www.regulations.gov/>.

Commercial tobacco companies have long targeted American Indians and Alaska Natives in marketing, sponsoring events and giveaways, devising promotional strategies, and misappropriating cultural imagery and concepts. Given the impact that these new rules may have on the health of AI/AN communities, we strongly encourage grantees to submit comments directly to the FDA to help offset what will surely be a significant and prompt response from the tobacco industry. We recommend that you consult with your organization and leadership about submitting comments. These comments are an important part of the FDA's process, and it is critical that your voice is heard. You may consider providing joint comments with your community partners and other local agencies.

OHA's Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section and The Public Health Law Center are also available to provide assistance with submitting written comments. Please let your liaison know if you submit comments and if you have any questions, please contact your liaison or Policy Specialists, Lily Banning (Lily.Banning at dhsoha.state.or.us<mailto:Lily.Banning at dhsoha.state.or.us>) or Vaida Liutkute-Gumarov (Vaida.Liutkute-Gumarov at dhsoha.state.or.us<mailto:Vaida.Liutkute-Gumarov at dhsoha.state.or.us>).

Thank you all for your participation in this very important process. It is critical that local perspectives inform and improve the final rule.



Lily Banning
Tobacco Policy Specialist
OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY
Public Health Division
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention
lily.banning at dhsoha.state.or.us<mailto:lily.banning at dhsoha.state.or.us>
971-225-8429 (cell)
http://www.oregon.gov/OHA<http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbXNpZD0mYXVpZD0mbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjIwLjY3OTEyMDUxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIyMC42NzkxMjA1MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE2ODYxMTMwJmVtYWlsaWQ9bWlrYXlsYS5tYXJjb3R0QGRoc29oYS5zdGF0ZS5vci51cyZ1c2VyaWQ9bWlrYXlsYS5tYXJjb3R0QGRoc29oYS5zdGF0ZS5vci51cyZ0YXJnZXRpZD0mZmw9Jm12aWQ9JmV4dHJhPSYmJg==&&&110&&&http://www.oregon.gov/OHA>
Pronouns: she/her

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