TPSAC Concludes: 'Should FDA choose to implement a ban... FDA would need to assess the potential for contraband menthol cigarettes as required by the Act.'

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The above statement is contained in the TPSAC report on menthol. CRE compliments TPSAC for its recognition of the significant impact contraband will have on increasing youth access to cigarettes, exposing smokers to unacceptably high levels of toxic metals and exposing both smokers and non-smokers to an increase in violence as a result of funding organized crime and terrorists groups.

The TPSAC statement is consistent with the repeated statements CRE made before TPSAC.

FDA's review should be augmented by an orderly examination of the contraband issue by academics, enforcement officials and the public. To this end, CRE has under consideration the establishment of an Interactive Public Docket (IPD) dedicated to contraband.

The IPD would be a repository of actions taken to curtail contraband cigarette flows into the United States. CRE would institute an outreach program to enforcement officials at both the federal and state level to encourage them to share their experiences in addressing the contraband issue by making relevant information available to all parties through the aforementioned IPD.

Based upon information posted on the IPD, CRE would provide reports and analyses to the FDA.

The Beta form of the IPD is available for public review http://www.thecre.com/cc/.

Please express your views on the IPD in the "comments" section.

This statement is issued by the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness.

Center for Regulatory Effectiveness

CONTACT: Jim Tozzi, of Center for Regulatory Effectiveness,
[phone]

Web site: http://thecre.com//