Annual Submission of the Ingredients Added to, and the Quantity of Nicotine Contained in, Smokeless Tobacco Manufactured, Imported, or Packaged in the U.S.
2021-11-29
CDC-2021-0101-0002
05:00:00
https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/CDC-2021-0101-0002
Daniel
Nakasone
I am writing as a Master of Public Policy Students from the University of Virginias Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Thank you for taking the time to consider my thoughts regarding the Annual Submission of the Ingredients Added to, and the Quantity of Nicotine Contained in, Smokeless Tobacco Manufactured, Imported, or Packaged in the U. S. As things such as electronic cigarettes have increased the prevalence of nicotine usage in society, it is important to ensure that the government is also keeping track of smokeless tobacco and the harmful effects it has. I am in support of this regulation as it would make people more aware of the harm smokeless tobacco can do.When looking at numbers provided by the CDC (link provided after this paragraph), almost 6 million adults say they use a form of smokeless tobaccomost of them use it daily. This number is likely the lower bounds as people have incentives to be dishonest when asked about their use of smokeless tobacco. In addition, almost 5% of high school students are estimated to use smokeless tobacco. As the CDC themselves say Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking. I would also like to add that as a college student, I have seen many of my peers use some form of smokeless tobacco, this is a real problem.https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/smokeless/use_us/index.htmI think this program will be helpful because it will provide the government with more information about the public health problem they are facing. In order for the government to come up with adequate solutions to the problem, they must have as much information as possible; they cannot fight against something they do not know. This regulation would lead to an increase in information possessed by the government and allow for better decision making. I think this policy should be adopted and a framework should be set in place for how this information can then help inform future policy decisions. Thanks for taking the time to read my public comment!