Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff; Establishing That a Tobacco Product Was Commercially Marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007; Availability; Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a draft guidance entitled “Establishing That a Tobacco Product Was Commercially Marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007.” This draft guidance provides information on how a manufacturer may demonstrate that a tobacco product was commercially marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007. In this draft guidance, FDA provides recommendations on the evidence that a manufacturer may use to demonstrate that a tobacco product was commercially marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007. This draft guidance is not final nor is it in effect at this time.

DATES:

Although you can comment on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5)), to ensure that the Agency considers your comment of this draft guidance before it begins work on the final version of the guidance, submit either electronic or written comments on the draft guidance by June 24, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written requests for single copies of the draft guidance document entitled “Establishing That a Tobacco Product Was Commercially Marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007” to the Center for Tobacco Products, Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850-3229. Send one self-addressed adhesive label to assist that office in processing your request or include a fax number to which the guidance document may be sent. See the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for information on electronic access to the guidance document.

Submit electronic comments on the draft guidance to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

With regard to the draft guidance: Annette Marthaler, Center for Tobacco Products, Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, 1-877-287-1373, e-mail: annette.marthaler@fda.hhs.gov.

With regard to the proposed collection of information: Jonna Capezzuto, Office of Information Management, Food and Drug Administration, 1350 Piccard Dr., PI50-400B, Rockville, MD 20850, 301-796-3794, e-mail: Jonnalynn.Capezzuto@fda.hhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

This draft guidance provides information on how a manufacturer may establish that a tobacco product was commercially marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007. In this draft guidance, FDA provides recommendations on the information that a manufacturer may use to establish that a tobacco product was commercially marketed in the United States on February 15, 2007, and is, therefore, a grandfathered product not subject to premarket review requirements. In the draft guidance document, FDA recommends that this information may include, among other things, dated copies of advertisements, dated catalog pages, and dated promotional material.

II. Significance of Guidance

This draft guidance is being issued consistent with FDA's good guidance practices regulation (21 CFR 10.115). The draft guidance, when finalized, will represent the Agency's current thinking on “Establishing That a Tobacco Product Was Commercially Marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007.” It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind FDA or the public. An alternative approach may be used if such approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statute and regulations.

III. Electronic Access

An electronic version of the draft guidance document is available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov and http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/default.htm.

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), Federal Agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. “Collection of information” is defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c) and includes Agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) requires Federal Agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information before submitting the collection to OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, FDA is publishing notice of the proposed collection of information set forth in this document.

With respect to the following collection of information, FDA invites comments on these topics: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

Draft Guidance on Establishing That a Tobacco Product Was Commercially Marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007—(OMB Control Number 0910-NEW)

This draft guidance provides information on how a manufacturer may establish that a tobacco product was commercially marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007, and is, therefore, a grandfathered product not subject to premarket review. The draft guidance recommends that the manufacturer provide evidence that may include, among other things, dated copies of advertisements, dated catalog pages, dated promotional material, and dated bills of lading. FDA recommends that the manufacturer submit as much information as possible to demonstrate that the tobacco product was commercially marketed in the United States as of February 15, 2007. FDA's estimate of the number of respondents is based on the fact that requesting an agency determination of the grandfathered status of a tobacco product under the draft guidance is not required and also on indications of interest in making such request. The number of hours is FDA's estimate of how long it might take one to review, gather, and submit dated information if making a request for an agency determination.

FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as follows:

V. Comments

Interested persons may submit to the Division of Dockets Management (see ADDRESSES), either electronic or written comments regarding this document. It is only necessary to send one set of comments. It is no longer necessary to send two copies of mailed comments. Identify comments with the docket number found in brackets in the heading of this document. Received comments may be seen in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.