

Comment Info: =================

General Comment:To Mr. Zeller:

I am writing to request an extension of the comment period for the Food and Drug Administration's ("FDA") Proposed Rule Deeming Tobacco Products to be Subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Family Smoking and Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the "Proposed Rule") published at 79 Fed. Reg. 23,142 and Federal Register No. 2014-09491. As an individual consumer, I am requesting that the comment period for the above Rule be extended by the FDA for an additional 105 days (from its current 75-day period, to 180 days).

The Proposed Rule raises a number of significant issues and questions that are important and relevant to me, as a consumer of products that are proposed for regulation under the Proposed Rule. The Proposed Rule affects my ability to plan for the future when it comes to tobacco harm reduction (I have used electronic cigarettes to quit smoking). I want to provide my thoughts and comments on many of these issues, but my time to devote to researching and providing thoughtful comments on these important questions is limited. I am a disabled person, and wish to be thorough, yet take care of my medical needs,  I have already spent many hours researching, but this takes time. I know that the FDA took many years to develop this Proposed Rule, so I do not think it unreasonable to allow the public six months to comment on it. This is my only opportunity, as a consumer, to provide our feedback. 

I feel very strongly about e-cigarettes as an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Quite simply, I firmly believe that they saved my life. I wish to provide you with my personal story, as well as science- and evidence-based responses to your questions so that you can take my comment into account. I realize that the FDA has the authority under 21 CFR 10.40 to extend this time frame and that the FDA has exercised this authority on numerous occasions in the past. I would therefore ask that you do so here, so that all stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their comments on this proposed regulation.

I appreciate your consideration of my request and am happy to discuss this issue with you further.
