Marketing & Selling Tobacco Post-FDA
Distributors heard an outstanding presentation Thursday, March 11 at the 2010 AWMA Show on what to expect now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to regulate tobacco products.
Greg Wilson, director of regulatory affairs, Altria Client Services, explained that the FDA has created a new Center for Tobacco Products, which has responsibility for managing the agency’s tobacco-related activities, including development of product standards, good manufacturing practices, applications for modified risk products, illicit trade related activities, and more.
An important development will occur next week, Wilson said, when FDA republishes its 1996 rule that established requirements regarding the sale, promotion and advertising of tobacco products. That regulation is expected to include requirements to place tobacco behind the counter in stores as well as other restrictions.
Another major development will occur June 22 when several key provisions of the law kick in, including one that prohibits labeling that claim or imply that a product is of reduced risk to consumers. Thus, Wilson said, such descriptors as “Light” will be removed from packaging. Marlboro Lights, for example, will be repackaged as Marlboro Gold.
Christy Canary-Garner, senior director for Camel Alternative Tobacco Products at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, said it is still unclear how new FDA regulations resulting from the new law will affect alternative tobacco products. “We will be prepared,” she said. “This is a viable category and this will in no way inhibit our ability to market new products and meet the needs of our customers.”
Ray Johnson, operations manager at Las Vegas-based Speedee Mart, said he did not believe the new FDA actions would affect tobacco-related activities at his stores.
“Our sales are 40 percent tobacco and have been for years,” he said. “Whenever the government comes up with something, I’m not afraid of it because it gives me a level playing field. The day after they banned flavored cigarettes, we were selling flavoring sprays so consumers can have whatever flavor they want.”
The session was sponsored by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.
