Document ID: FDA-2014-N-0189-5767
Agency: fda
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2014-06-17T04:00Z

Comment Info: =================

General Comment: Dear Mr. Zeller:

I am writing as a consumer to request an extension of the comment period for the Food and Drug Administration's ("FDA") Proposed Rule Deeming Tobacco Products to be Subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Family Smoking and Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the "Proposed Rule") published at 79 Fed. Reg. 23,142 and Federal Register No. 2014-09491. On behalf of myself, I am requesting that the comment period for the Proposed Rule be extended for an additional 105 days, to 180 days.

The Proposed Rule raises a number of significant issues and questions that are important and relevant to me, as a consumer of products that are proposed for regulation under the Proposed Rule. The Proposed Rule asks about a numerous questions I would like to respond to. I want to provide my thoughts and comments on this issue, however my time to devote to researching and providing thoughtful comments is limited. I have already spent time researching and dissecting many of these issues, but it takes time. I know that the FDA had many years to even come up with the Proposed Rule, so I do not think it is at all unreasonable to allow the public a mere six months to comment on it. This is our only opportunity, as consumers, to provide our much needed feedback.

I feel very strongly about e-cigarettes as a safe alternative to regular combustible cigarettes. Quite simply, I firmly believe that they can save countless peoples lives and the U.S government much money in the costs in trying to save people from the cancers which are caused by smoking certain tobacco products.  I realize that the FDA has the authority under 21 CFR 10.40 to extend this time frame and that the FDA has exercised this authority on numerous occasions in the past. I would therefore ask that you do so here, so that all stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their comments on this proposed regulation.

I appreciate your consideration of my request and am happy to discuss this issue with you further.

Maria R.