Request for Nominations for Voting Members on a Public Advisory Committee; Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requesting nominations for voting members to serve on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, Office of Science, Center for Tobacco Products.

FDA seeks to include the views of women and men, members of all racial and ethnic groups, and individuals with and without disabilities on its advisory committees and, therefore encourages nominations of appropriately qualified candidates from these groups.

DATES:

Nominations received on or before December 4, 2012, will be given first consideration for membership on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. Nominations received after December 4, 2012, will be considered for nomination to the committee as later vacancies occur.

ADDRESSES:

All nominations for membership should be sent electronically to cv@oc.fda.gov or by mail to Advisory Committee Oversight and Management Staff, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 32, Rm. 5103, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Regarding all nomination questions for membership, the primary contact is: Caryn Cohen, Center for Tobacco Products, Food and Drug Administration, 9200 Corporate Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850, 1-877-287-1373 (choose Option 4), FAX: 240-276-3655, TPSAC@fda.hhs.gov.

Information about becoming a member on an FDA advisory committee can also be obtained by visiting FDA's Web site at http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/default.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

FDA is requesting nomination for voting members on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is publishing a separate document announcing the Request for Notification for Nonvoting Members on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee.

I. General Description of the Committee Duties

The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (the Commissioner) or designee in discharging responsibilities as they relate to the regulation of tobacco products. The Committee reviews and evaluates safety, dependence, and health issues relating to tobacco products and provides appropriate advice, information and recommendations to the Commissioner.

II. Criteria for Voting Members

The Committee shall consist of 12 members including the Chair. Members and the Chair are selected by the Commissioner or designee from among individuals knowledgeable in the fields of medicine, medical ethics, science, or technology involving the manufacture, evaluation, or use of tobacco products. Members will be invited to serve for overlapping terms of up to 4 years. Almost all non-Federal members of this committee serve as Special Government Employees. The Committee shall include nine technically qualified voting members, selected by the Commissioner or designee. The nine voting members shall be physicians, dentists, scientists, or health care professionals practicing in the area of oncology, pulmonology, cardiology, toxicology, pharmacology, addiction, or any other relevant specialty.

In addition to the voting members, the committee shall include three nonvoting members who are identified with industry interests. These members shall include one representative of the tobacco manufacturing industry, one representative of the interests of tobacco growers, and one representative of the interests of the small business tobacco manufacturing industry.

III. Nomination Procedures

Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified individuals for membership on the advisory committee. Self-nominations are also accepted. Nominations must include a current, complete resume or curriculum vitae for each nominee, including current business address and/or home address, telephone number, and email address if available. Nominations must also specify the advisory committee for which the nominee is recommended. Nominations must also acknowledge that the nominee is aware of the nomination unless self-nominated. FDA will ask potential candidates to provide detailed information concerning such matters related to financial holdings, employment, and research grants and/or contracts to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflicts of interest.

This notice is issued under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. app. 2) and 21 CFR part 14, relating to advisory committees.