[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58972-58973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28913]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION


Cigarette Testing; Extension of Deadline for Submission of Public 
Comments

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Extension of deadline for submission of comments on proposed 
revisions to the Federal Trade Commission methodology for determining 
tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide yields of cigarettes, and on a 
proposed format for disclosing the resulting ratings in advertising.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') is 
extending until January 20, 1998 the deadline for filing comments on 
its proposed revisions to the testing method used to determine the tar, 
nicotine, and carbon monoxide ratings of cigarettes, and on two 
possible formats for disclosure of those test results.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shira D. Modell, Division of Advertising Practices, Federal Trade 
Commission, Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20580, (202) 326-3116.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 9, 1997, the Commission

[[Page 58973]]

issued a notice proposing changes to the methodology currently used to 
determine cigarette ratings for tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. See 
62 FR 48.158 (Sept. 12, 1997). The proposed methodology would produce 
tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide yields using both the current 
testing parameters and more intensive smoking conditions, thus 
producing a range of potential yields for each cigarette. The 
Commission requested comment on those proposed changes to the testing 
methodology, and on the feasibility of generating the upper tier of 
tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide ratings through mathematical 
formulas, rather than actual testing on a smoking machine. The 
Commission also placed on the public record two different legends that 
could be used in advertising to disclose the ratings and sought comment 
on the usefulness and feasibility of these potential disclosure 
formats. Finally, comment was requested on alternative approaches that 
were considered but not proposed by the Commission. The deadline for 
submission of the requested comments was November 17, 1997.
    The Commission has received requests for extension of this deadline 
from the Food and Drug Administration, the four largest cigarette 
manufacturers (Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, Lorillard 
Tobacco Company, Philip Morris Incorporated and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco 
Company), the American Lung Association, the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts and the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
    In light of the importance and complexity of the issues addressed 
by the Commission's Federal Register notice, and the number of issues 
on which comment is being requested, the Commission has decided to 
extend the filing deadline until January 20, 1998.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-28913 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M