[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 89 (Monday, May 8, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 26534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11455]



[[Page 26534]]

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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 307


Extension of Time for Comments Concerning Regulations 
Implementing the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act 
of 1986

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of reopening and extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'') has extended 
the date by which comments must be submitted concerning the review of 
its regulations (``smokeless tobacco regulations'' or ``the 
regulations'') implementing the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health 
Education Act of 1986 (``Smokeless Tobacco Act''). This document 
informs prospective commenters of the change and sets a new date of 
July 21, 2000 for the end of the comment period.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before July 21, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be identified as ``16 CFR Part 307'' 
and sent to the Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, Room H-159, 600 
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20580. The Commission 
requests that the original comment be filed with five copies, if 
feasible. The Commission also requests, if possible, that the comments 
be submitted in electronic form on a computer disc. (Programs based on 
DOS or Windows are preferred. Files from other operating systems should 
be submitted in ASCII text format.) The disc label should identify the 
commenter's name and the name and version of the word processing 
program used to create the document.
    Alternatively, the Commission will accept comments submitted to the 
following E-Mail address: ``[email protected]''.
    All comments will be placed on the public record and will be 
available for public inspection in accordance with the Freedom of 
Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, and the Commission's Rules of Practice, 
16 CFR 4.11, during normal business days from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 
at the Public Reference Room, Room H-130, Federal Trade Commission, 600 
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20580. In addition, comments 
will be placed on the Internet at the FTC web site: http://www.ftc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rosemary Rosso (202) 326-3076, 
Division of Advertising Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580, E-Mail (for questions 
or information only): [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 7, 2000, the Commission published 
in the Federal Register a Request for Comment on its regulations 
(``smokeless tobacco regulations'' or ``the regulations'') implementing 
the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 
(``Smokeless Tobacco Act''), 16 CFR part 307, as part of its regulatory 
review program. 65 FR 11944. The regulations set forth the manner in 
which smokeless tobacco manufacturers, importers, and packagers must 
display and rotate the three health warnings mandated by the Smokeless 
Tobacco Act. The Federal Register Notice (``notice'') posed twelve 
questions in all; some were general regulatory review questions, while 
others asked about material issues that are specific to the smokeless 
tobacco regulations. The notice requested commenters to provide answers 
where possible, and specifically asked for consumer research, studies 
or other data to support comments submitted to the Commission. Pursuant 
to the Federal Register Notice, the comment period ended on April 24, 
2000.
    Staff has received a request for an extension of the comment period 
from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The Department 
indicates that it is currently investigating issues that relate to 
smokeless tobacco warnings and requests additional time to compile 
relevant information for the Commission's consideration.
    The Commission is mindful of the need to deal with this matter as 
expeditiously as possible. However, the Commission is also aware that 
some of the issues raised by the Federal Register Notice may be complex 
and it welcomes as much substantive input as possible to facilitate its 
decisionmaking process. Accordingly, in order to provide sufficient 
time for these and other interested parties to prepare useful comments, 
the Commission has decided to extend the deadline for comments until 
July 21, 2000.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 307

    Health warnings, Smokeless tobacco, Trade practices.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1401-1410.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-11455 Filed 5-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M