FDA Mulls New Smokeless Tobacco Warnings

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to put tougher warnings on smokeless tobacco products and it is seeking public input about whether any changes should be made to the current label warnings.

Occupational Health and Safety reports that public comments on how to increase public awareness of the risks associated with smokeless tobacco products can be submitted via http://www.regulations.gov (Docket No. FDA-2012-N-1032). Currently, smokeless tobacco product packages and advertising must bear one of four mandatory warning statements:

• "WARNING: This product can cause mouth cancer."

• "WARNING: This product can cause gum disease and tooth loss."

• "WARNING: This product is not a safe alternative to cigarettes."

• "WARNING: Smokeless tobacco is addictive."

The FDA was given the authority to regulate the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of tobacco and smokeless tobacco products by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act introduced in 2009.

The agency says comments should discuss how any label changes would effectively impact public understanding of the hazards associated with the use of smokeless tobacco products, according to Occupational Health and Safety.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by an unsafe product, contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

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