[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24115-24116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11348]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[INFO-97-09]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports 
Clearance Officer on (404) 639-7090.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques for other 
forms of information technology. Send comments to Wilma Johnson, CDC 
Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, Atlanta, GA 
30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this 
notice.

Proposed Projects

    1. Annual Submission of the Quantity of Nicotine Contained in 
Smokeless Tobacco Products Manufactured, Imported, or Packaged in the 
United States--New--Oral use of smokeless tobacco represents a 
significant health risk which can cause cancer and a number of 
noncancerous oral conditions, and can lead to nicotine addiction and 
dependence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 
Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) has been delegated the authority for 
implementing major components of the Department of Health and Human 
Services' (HHS) tobacco and health program, including collection of 
tobacco ingredients information. HHS's overall goal is to reduce death 
and disability resulting from cigarette smoking and other forms of 
tobacco use through programs of information, education and research.
    The Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 
(15 U.S.C. 4401 et seq., Pub. L. 99-252) requires that each person who 
manufactures, packages, or imports smokeless tobacco provide the 
Secretary of HHS annually with a report on the quantity of nicotine 
contained in smokeless tobacco products. This notice implements this 
nicotine reporting requirement. CDC is requesting OMB clearance to 
collect this information for three years. A standard methodology for 
measurement of quantity of nicotine in smokeless tobacco has been 
developed. The methodology (``Protocol for Analysis of Nicotine, Total 
Moisture, and pH in Smokeless Tobacco Products'') is intended to 
provide standardized measurement of nicotine, total moisture, and pH in 
smokeless tobacco products.

Background

    In 1989, the smokeless industry submitted a business review letter 
to the Department of Justice (DOJ), in accordance with 28 CFR 50.6. 
This letter requested approval of a collaborative industry effort to 
determine standard nicotine reporting. In January 1993, DOJ extended 
permission to the smokeless industry to begin the development of 
uniform methods for analyzing smokeless tobacco products for nicotine 
or moisture content. The first meeting of the work group, which 
represented the ten major domestic manufacturers of smokeless tobacco, 
was convened on July 7, 1993. After a series of meetings of the joint 
industry work group, a standard methodology was approved by the work 
group and submitted to OSH for approval. The protocol was revised by 
OSH based on individual comments received from peer reviewers and the 
Division of Environmental Health Laboratory Sciences, National Center 
for Environmental Health, CDC. The total cost to respondents is 
$467,500.*

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                                                                                         Average                
                                                         No. of           No. of         burden/    Total burden
                    Respondents                       respondents       responses/      response      (in hrs.) 
                                                                        respondent      (in hrs.)               
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Tobacco manufacturers.............................              11                1         1,706       18,766  
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* Please note that these figures are based on the average reporting time and cost estimations for six major     
  smokeless tobacco manufacturers are reported by Patton Boggs, LLP.                                            

      
      
      
      
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* Please note that these figures are based on the average reporting 
time and cost estimations for six major smokeless tobacco 
manufacturers as reported by Patton Boggs, LLP.
      

[[Page 24116]]

    Note: The annual reporting of the quantity of nicotine contained 
in smokeless tobacco products for calendar year 1997 is due on July 
31. In future years, the annual report will be due on March 31 of 
each year; this is the same date that lists the ingredients added to 
tobacco in the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products are due.

    Dated: April 24, 1997.
Wilma G. Johnson,
Acting Associate Director for Policy Planning and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 97-11348 Filed 5-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P