[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 213 (Friday, November 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55676-55677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27529]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-02-06]


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 or other 
forms of information technology. Send comments to Anne O'Connor, CDC 
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D24, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days 
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: Annual Submission of the Quantity of Nicotine 
Contained in Smokeless Tobacco Products Manufactured, Imported, or 
Packaged in the United States--Renewal--National Center for Chronic 
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC). 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 Office on Smoking and Health (OSH) within the National 
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC 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 
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. All companies are required to 
submit this information for all brands. A standard methodology for 
measurement of quantity of nicotine in smokeless tobacco has been 
developed.

[[Page 55677]]

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. This information should be submitted in the 
prescribed format. In addition, we ask that companies provide an 
electronic copy of this information on a floppy disk or CD-ROM.

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. There are no costs to respondents.

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                                                          Number of                                     Total
               Respondents                   Number of    responses/   Average burden/response (in    burden (in
                                            respondents   respondent              hrs.)                 hrs.)
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Tobacco Manufacturers....................            11            1  1,706                               18,766
                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total................................  ............  ...........  .............................       18,766
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    Dated: October 25, 2001.
Nancy E. Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 01-27529 Filed 11-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P