Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

AGENCY:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION:

Notice with comment period.

SUMMARY:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce public burden and maximize the utility of government information, invites the general public and other Federal agencies the opportunity to comment on a proposed and/or continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled Annual Submission of the Ingredients Added to, and the Quantity of Nicotine Contained in, Smokeless Tobacco Manufactured, Imported, or Packaged in the U.S. This Extension permits CDC to collect a list of ingredients added to tobacco in the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products, and a specification of the quantity of nicotine contained in each product. CDC's Office of Smoking and Health (OSH) has been delegated with the responsibility for implementing the required information collection by HHS.

DATES:

CDC must receive written comments on or before November 26, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. CDC-2021-0101 by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

• Mail: Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H21-8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329.

Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and Docket Number. CDC will post, without change, all relevant comments to Regulations.gov.

Please note: Submit all comments through the Federal eRulemaking portal ( regulations.gov ) or by U.S. mail to the address listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, contact Jeffrey M. Zirger, Information Collection Review Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS H21-8, Atlanta, Georgia 30329; phone: 404-639-7570; Email: omb@cdc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (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. In addition, the PRA also requires Federal agencies to provide a 60-day notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each new proposed collection, each proposed extension of existing collection of information, and each reinstatement of previously approved information collection before submitting the collection to the OMB for approval. To comply with this requirement, we are publishing this notice of a proposed data collection as described below.

The OMB is particularly interested in comments that will help:

1. Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

4. Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses; and

5. Assess information collection costs.

Proposed Project

Annual Submission of the Ingredients Added to, and the Quantity of Nicotine Contained in, Smokeless Tobacco Manufactured, Imported, or Packaged in the U. S. (OMB Control No. 0920-0338, Exp. 4/30/2022)—Extension—National Center for Chronic Disease and Public Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

Smokeless tobacco products (SLT) are associated with many health problems. Using smokeless tobacco: Can lead to nicotine addiction; causes cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas; is associated with diseases of the mouth; can increase risks for early delivery and stillbirth when used during pregnancy; can cause nicotine poisoning in children; and may increase the risk for death from heart disease and stroke.

The CDC's Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) is the lead federal agency for comprehensive tobacco prevention and control. As required by the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 (CSTHEA, 15 U.S.C. 4401 et seq., Pub. L. 99-252), CDC collects a list of ingredients added to tobacco in the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products and a specification of the quantity of nicotine contained in each product. HHS has delegated responsibility for implementing the required information collection to CDC's OSH. Respondents are manufacturers, packagers, or importers (or their representatives) of smokeless tobacco products. Respondents are not required to submit specific forms; however, they are required to meet reporting guidelines and to submit the ingredient report by chemical name and Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registration Number, consistent with accepted reporting practices for other companies that are required to report ingredients added to other consumer products, and to report on the quantity of nicotine contained in each smokeless tobacco product as specified in previous Federal Register Notices. Respondents may submit the required information to CDC through a designated representative. The information collection is subject to strict confidentiality provisions.

Ingredient and nicotine analysis reports for new SLT products are due at the time of first importation. Thereafter, ingredient reports are due annually on March 31. Information is submitted to CDC by mailing a written report on the respondent's letterhead. Electronic mail submissions are not accepted. Annual submission reports are mailed to Attention: FCLAA Program Manager, Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS S107-7, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717.

Following receipt of the annual nicotine and ingredient report, CDC issues a Certificate of Compliance to the respondent. As deemed appropriate by the Secretary of HHS, HHS is authorized to use the information to report to Congress the health effects of ingredients, research activities related to the health effects of ingredients, and other information that the Secretary determines to be of public interest.

There are no costs to respondents other than their time. The total estimated annualized burden hours are 18,843. OMB approval is requested for three years.