Evidentiary Support in Public Comments to the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products

This article analyzes key comments submitted to the FDA on the issue of flavor regulation in ENDS and examines the weight and credibility of the evidence presented by both supporters and opponents of regulation. It also describes the final deeming rule, published in May 2016, and the FDA's response to the evidence submitted. This is the first study to examine public comments submitted to the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, and it concludes that opponents of regulation were more likely to rely on sources that were not peer reviewed and that were affected by conflicts of interest. In light of these findings, the FDA and the research community should develop processes to carefully and critically analyze public comments submitted to the FDA on issues of tobacco regulation.

Source: Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law - July 20, 2017 Category: Health Management Authors: Hemmerich, N., Klein, E. G., Berman, M. Tags: Health Policy & Education, Political Science, General, Public Policy Articles Source Type: research