Center for Tobacco Products

Westat Awarded Contract to Continue Supporting the PATH Study

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
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ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Institutes of Health's (NIH's) National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) have announced the award of a third contract to Westat to continue to support the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Westat has supported the study since its inception in 2011.

Key Points: 
  • Westat is committed to continuing the trusted partnership with NIH/NIDA and FDA/CTP on the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study to understand tobacco use patterns and impacts on public health.
  • Westat has supported the study since its inception in 2011.
  • The PATH Study is a uniquely large, long-term study of tobacco use and health in the United States.
  • "Our work will build on the knowledge we have gained during the past 12 years of supporting the PATH Study and a foundation of over 35 years of tobacco research," notes Charles Carusi, PhD , a Westat Vice President and the project director for the PATH Study.

Joint Federal Operation Results in Seizure of More Than $18 Million in Illegal E-Cigarettes

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023
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SILVER SPRING, Md. , Dec. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the seizure of approximately 1.4 million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products, including brands such as Elf Bar, which according to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, is the most commonly used brand among youth e-cigarette users. The estimated retail value of the seized products totals more than $18 million. The seizures were part of a three-day joint operation, which resulted in the seizure of 41 shipments containing illegal e-cigarettes. 

Key Points: 
  • The seizures were part of a three-day joint operation, which resulted in the seizure of 41 shipments containing illegal e-cigarettes.
  • "The FDA is committed to continuing to stem the flow of illegal e-cigarettes into the United States," said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D.
  • The FDA and CBP conducted the joint operation at a cargo examination site at Los Angeles International Airport, where the team examined incoming shipments for potentially violative items.
  • Upon examining shipments, all of which originated in China, the team found various brands of illegal flavored disposable e-cigarette products.

National Survey Shows Drop in E-Cigarette Use Among High School Students

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 2, 2023
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SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released data from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) on tobacco product use among U.S. youth. The findings, which were collected between March and June 2023, show that 10% of U.S. middle and high school students (2.8 million youth) reported current use of any tobacco product.

Key Points: 
  • Among U.S. high school students, current overall tobacco product use declined during 2022-2023 (16.5% to 12.6%).
  • Among high school students, declines in current use were also observed during 2022-2023 for cigars and overall combustible tobacco smoking, representing all-time lows.
  • Although a decrease in e-cigarette use was observed among high school students, among middle school students there was an increase in current overall tobacco product use (4.5% to 6.6%) and multiple tobacco product use (1.5% to 2.5%).
  • E-cigarettes remained the most commonly used tobacco product among both high school and middle school students for the 10th year in a row.

Quit For Good Urges the FDA and WHO to Help Adult Smokers

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023
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"A balanced policy will protect the youth and help adult smokers at the same time," he said.

Key Points: 
  • "A balanced policy will protect the youth and help adult smokers at the same time," he said.
  • The CTP, a young office under the FDA, is working on foundational rules at present.
  • "We're focusing on combustibles because again we know those are responsible for the overwhelming burden of death and disease," Dr. King said.
  • "We're now seeing about half the number of kids currently using e-cigarettes as we did at that peak in 2019, which is a good thing.

Center for Black Equity Calls on FDA to Approve Wide Range of E-Cigarettes to Ensure Black & LGBTQ+ Americans Can Access Effective Tobacco Harm-Reduction Options

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 5, 2023
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for Black Equity (CBE) today called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Tobacco Products to grant broad approval to a full range of nicotine e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, in a major step toward closing the significant harm-reduction and health equity gaps perpetuated by current FDA tobacco policies. The approval of vaping products would benefit Black and LGBTQ+ populations disproportionately impacted by the negative health effects of smoking, including cancer.

Key Points: 
  • The approval of vaping products would benefit Black and LGBTQ+ populations disproportionately impacted by the negative health effects of smoking, including cancer.
  • The report was authored by Dr. Robert J. Shapiro, former under secretary of commerce for economic affairs and advisor to Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden.
  • "The FDA and the Center for Tobacco Products have an obligation to follow the science, support harm-reduction and health equity, and advance – rather than stall – President Biden's Cancer Moonshot," concluded Fowlkes.
  • "The FDA must acknowledge the evidence-based benefits of switching from smoking to vaping and aggressively educate Black, LGBTQ+, and other smokers about those benefits.

Truth Initiative Board Announces Appointment of Kathy Crosby as New CEO and President

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
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Crosby is succeeding Robin Koval, who has served as CEO and President since 2013 and is retiring after a decade of transformative leadership and significant advancement of the organization's lifesaving mission.

Key Points: 
  • Crosby is succeeding Robin Koval, who has served as CEO and President since 2013 and is retiring after a decade of transformative leadership and significant advancement of the organization's lifesaving mission.
  • In making the announcement, Truth Initiative Board Chair Mike Moore said, "Kathy's impressive background, extensive experience and passion for public health make her an exceptional choice to lead our organization."
  • Kathy Crosby joins Truth Initiative from the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) where she served as Director of the Office of Health Communication and Education for the past 12 years.
  • On behalf of the Truth Initiative board, Moore expressed gratitude for Robin Koval's exemplary leadership during her tenure and shared his enthusiasm for the future with Crosby at the helm.

A Cigarette to Help Californians Smoke Less: 22nd Century Group, Inc. Launches Reduced Nicotine VLN® King Cigarettes in California, VLN Will Be Sold at #1 U.S. Convenience Store Chain and Other Responsible Retail Locations

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 17, 2023
Smoker, Nicotine, Food and Drug Administration, California Department, MRTP, Research, Tobacco, History, Pacific Century Group, California Department of Public Health, Center for Tobacco Products, Public health, Smoke, XXII, FDA, Georgia Alcohol and Tobacco Division, Death, Smoking, First Ever, Biotechnology

VLN® King cigarettes have made history by receiving U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP).

Key Points: 
  • VLN® King cigarettes have made history by receiving U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP).
  • Having options like these products authorized today, which contain less nicotine and are reasonably likely to reduce nicotine dependence, may help adult smokers.
  • Research conducted in 20181 highlighted the significant benefits experienced by smokers who transitioned to reduced nicotine content cigarettes.
  • “VLN® cigarettes are clinically proven to help adult smokers smoke less and cut back on their nicotine intake,” said Calvin Treat, 22nd Century Group, Inc., Chief Scientific Officer.

FDA Conducts Retailer Inspection Blitz, Cracks Down on Illegal Sales of Popular Disposable E-cigarettes

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
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"Protecting our nation's youth from tobacco products – including disposable e-cigarettes – is a top priority for the FDA," said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D.

Key Points: 
  • "Protecting our nation's youth from tobacco products – including disposable e-cigarettes – is a top priority for the FDA," said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D.
  • All products cited in the warning letters are disposable e-cigarettes, which are the most commonly used e-cigarette product type among youth.
  • These efforts include ongoing surveillance of the marketplace to identify violative products, including existing and emerging disposable e-cigarette products.
  • FDA will continue to take action against anyone making, distributing, importing, or selling unauthorized e-cigarette products, especially those most used by youth.

22nd Century Group (XXII) Highlights Recent TCORS Symposium Findings

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 25, 2023
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BUFFALO, N.Y., May 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 22nd Century Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: XXII), a leading biotechnology company dedicated to improving health with reduced nicotine tobacco, hemp/cannabis and hops advanced plant technologies, today provided comments following the recent Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS) Symposium and attempts to use funding limitations to inhibit actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to advance its top tobacco harm reduction policies.

Key Points: 
  • Together, these policies are expected to dramatically reduce the rates of smoking in the U.S., saving millions of lives and countless healthcare dollars.
  • Additionally, 22nd Century opposes the tobacco industry’s attempts to influence congress and interfere with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) plans to advance these policies.
  • “As a Company, 22nd Century stands in support of the FDA and members of Congress in the fight to end the harms of highly addictive tobacco products,” said John Miller, president of tobacco products for 22nd Century Group.
  • To inform adult smokers of the product's distinctive purpose, the FDA requires 22nd Century to include the statement "Helps You Smoke Less" on every package of VLN® sold.

Tobacco Harms Health and the Environment: Urgent Action Needed at the UN

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. , May 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is calling on the global community to unite in support of a strong United Nations treaty on eliminating plastic pollution, and banning cigarette filters is a crucial part of reducing plastic pollution and protecting the planet.

Key Points: 
  • "Tobacco is an environmental hazard, and the cellulose acetate filter in cigarettes is a fraudulent marketing tool that is harmful, not helpful, to health."
  • Countries have a legal obligation to protect their citizens' right to health, right to life, and right to a healthy environment.
  • This year, the World Health Organization's theme for World No Tobacco Day (May 31st) is "We need food, not tobacco" and serves as a call to action to eliminate the environmental and health impacts of tobacco production, consumption, and waste.
  • Founded in 1967, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is America's oldest anti-tobacco organization, dedicated to a world with ZERO tobacco deaths.