[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 199 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60899-60900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26302]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 307


Reopening and 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'') has reopened 
and 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 
October 16, 2000 for the end of the comment period.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before October 16, 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, NW., Washington, DC 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.
    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 p.m., at 
the Public Reference Room, Room H-130, Federal Trade Commission, 600 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington DC 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, DC 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

[[Page 60900]]

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 initial comment period ended on April 24, 2000. 
The Commission subsequently reopened and extended that comment period 
to July 21, 2000.
    After the comment period ended, United States Tobacco Company 
requested an opportunity to submit an untimely comment. In particular, 
the company would like an opportunity to respond to the comment 
submitted by the Massachusetts Department of Health and the two 
statistical surveys filed as part of that comment, and to respond to 
questions posed in the Commission's Federal Register Notice regarding 
potential burdens that may result from any suggested changes to the 
existing regulations.
    The Commission is mindful that United States Tobacco Company has 
both notice and opportunity to file a timely comment. The Commission 
likewise appreciates the need to deal with this matter as expeditiously 
as possible. At the same time, the Commission recognizes the need to 
obtain comments from parties that are directly affected by these 
regulations. Accordingly, in order to provide an opportunity for this 
and other interested parties to submit comments, the Commission has 
decided to reopen the public comment period and extend the deadline for 
comments until October 16, 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, Commissioner Anthony dissenting.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-26302 Filed 10-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M