FDA Releases Series of Internal Memos on Tobacco Product Review Policies

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Apr.07.2024
FDA Releases Series of Internal Memos on Tobacco Product Review Policies
FDA releases internal science review policy memoranda regarding tobacco product premarket review process, enhancing transparency and commitment to stakeholders.

According to a report dated April 2, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a series of internal scientific review policy memoranda, which reflect the FDA's internal viewpoints on certain issues in the pre-market review process for tobacco products. This move validates the commitment of the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to publish scientific policy memoranda and review guidance, in response to the feedback from the Reagan-Udall Foundation's 2022 operational assessment of the center.

 

The Director of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products, Dr. Brian King, stated:

 

We have received clear feedback from stakeholders that we have the opportunity to increase transparency of the center. In line with this commitment, the FDA is making public previous internal memos to further clarify the pre-review process. We plan to continue releasing such memos in a timely manner.

 

These memos provide additional transparency on the considerations of standard scientific disciplines when reviewing tobacco product applications. These memos are part of the FDA's planned release, and are the first batch to be released. This release includes six memos covering tobacco product application plans from 2019 to 2023, as well as chemical and toxicological topics involved in the review process. Generally, scientific policy memos reflect the center's internal thinking on a specific topic at a particular time. Therefore, the information contained in the memos may change, for example, due to policy changes, regulatory frameworks, or changes in standard scientific practice.

 

The memorandum released today is as follows:

 

Chemistry

  1. During the product review process before listing, attention should be paid to the filling material, cigarette paper, and adhesive of cigars, as well as the tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) in mainstream cigarette smoke. 
  2. The evaluation of chemical ingredients in e-liquid manufacturing, responsibilities in the PMTA and MRTPA review programs. 
  3. The review of smokeless tobacco products and other oral tobacco products in pre-market tobacco applications are recommended. 
  4. Methods for evaluating the differences in nicotine release characteristics, as well as assessing extractables and leachables in tobacco product applications, are also important aspects of toxicology.

 

Toxicology

 

The use of reference values for normalizing the levels of harmful and potentially harmful constituents (HPHC) in new and comparator products in ENDS PMTAs for toxicological assessments of inhaled tobacco products.

 

The release of these memos is a specific action taken in response to the sixth recommendation of the Reagan-Udall Foundation's evaluation of the CTP operations. For more information on how the FDA is addressing the RUF evaluation and the newly released memos, visit the FDA's official website.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, a project operated by Knowledge·Action·Change, estimates that about 200 million people worldwide use non-combustible nicotine products including vapes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and snus. Its 2026 report says use of these products rose alongside declining smoking rates in 28 countries it analyzed. The data do not establish that all 200 million users have quit smoking, nor do they prove a direct causal relationship. GSTHR also says regulatory restrictions on the products continue to expand in many markets.
Sep.10
Ohio Supreme Court Weighs Whether State Consumer Law Can Restrict Flavored Vape Sales
Ohio Supreme Court Weighs Whether State Consumer Law Can Restrict Flavored Vape Sales
The Ohio Supreme Court is hearing a case involving flavored vape sales and whether state authorities can use consumer protection laws to take action against retailers selling unauthorized vape products. Ohio officials argue that selling unauthorized flavored vapes may constitute consumer deception, while retailers argue that tobacco product regulation falls under federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority and that states cannot impose additional restrictions through consumer laws. The case could affect the scope of state-level vape regulation across the United States.
Aug.06
Russian Strikes Destroy JTI and Imperial Brands Ukraine Warehouses, With Losses Reaching Tens of Millions of Hryvnias
Russian Strikes Destroy JTI and Imperial Brands Ukraine Warehouses, With Losses Reaching Tens of Millions of Hryvnias
According to Ukrainska Pravda, Russian strikes on the Kyiv region during the night of Aug. 4-5, 2026, damaged warehouses storing products of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and Imperial Brands Ukraine. JTI said a finished goods warehouse in Kyiv Oblast was destroyed, with no employees injured, and that it did not expect disruptions to retail supplies. Imperial Brands Ukraine said products stored at warehouses of distributors and retail partners were affected and estimated losses from the strikes at “tens of millions of Ukrainian hryvnias” (roughly hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars).
JTI
Aug.07
Gallup Tracks Nicotine Pouch Use for the First Time: 11% of U.S. Adults Smoke, 9% Vape and 4% Use Nicotine Pouches
Gallup Tracks Nicotine Pouch Use for the First Time: 11% of U.S. Adults Smoke, 9% Vape and 4% Use Nicotine Pouches
Gallup’s 2026 Consumption Habits survey tracked nicotine pouch use for the first time. The survey found that 11% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in the past week, 9% reported vaping, and 4% reported using nicotine pouches. Cigarette smoking remained near Gallup’s long-term low, while adult vaping rates stayed relatively stable in recent years.
Market
Aug.25 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | JTI Launches Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop in South Korea, Its First Dual-Color Edition
Product | JTI Launches Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop in South Korea, Its First Dual-Color Edition
JTI Korea launched the Ploom AURA Teal Electric Pop limited edition in South Korea on September 1, 2026, marking the first dual-color design in the Ploom AURA range. The device combines a dark green body with teal accents and is accompanied by matching Front Panel, Back Cover and Pocket Bag accessories. The standalone device is priced at KRW 29,000, with three additional device-and-accessory bundles available. The release continues JTI Korea's use of limited colorways and interchangeable accessories to expand the Ploom AURA portfolio without introducing a new hardware platform.
Sep.03
Altria Smokeable Profit Rises 2.4% as Marlboro Share Falls and U.S. Discounts Gain
Altria Smokeable Profit Rises 2.4% as Marlboro Share Falls and U.S. Discounts Gain
Altria’s second-quarter results show a U.S. nicotine market splitting across price, product and regulation. Smokeable profit rose 2.4% as Marlboro pricing offset lower volumes, while discount brand Basic gained share among value-conscious smokers. In oral nicotine, on! PLUS expanded distribution but faced intensifying competition from ZYN and Velo. NJOY remained off the market as patent and regulatory hurdles delayed its return. The broader lesson: U.S. growth increasingly depends on price-tier strategy, retail execution, authorisation and enforcement readiness across the industry.
Special Report
Jul.31