FDA Issues Proposed Rule for New Cigarette Warnings Comments Due: January 11, 2011
Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration announced a proposed rule which will require new and prominent health warnings on all cigarette packages, cartons and advertisements. The proposed new warning labels consist of nine new textual warning statements and would be accompanied by color graphics depicting the health consequences of smoking. The proposed rule is based upon a provision in the Tobacco Control Act which requires the FDA to issue final regulations requiring new color graphics by June 22, 2011. The requirement to use the new warning labels will take effect 15 months after issuance of the final rule.
The FDA is seeking public comment on the proposed rule until Tuesday, January 11, 2011. The submitted comments will be officially considered in the final warnings, which will be issued by the FDA no later than June 22, 2011.