The sessions are an opportunity for the public to verbally provide open public comment on the agency’s proposed product standards to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in all cigars. Registration also includes a “listen-only” option for those who want to attend the sessions but do not want to request to speak.

Use the below links to request to speak or register to attend. Note that you must register separately for each day.

• Submit a request to verbally provide open public comment on June 13 or June 15
• Register to attend in listen-only mode on June 13 or June 15 

Speaking spots are limited, and we cannot guarantee we’ll be able to accommodate all requests. We ask that groups and organizations select a single spokesperson to help us hear as many different perspectives as possible. While speaking spots are limited, listening spots are unlimited.

Due to the expected high volume of requests to speak, FDA cannot accommodate requests to speak at a specific time. FDA endeavors to provide as much communication and notification for confirmed speakers as possible and will notify confirmed speakers with their speaking assignment via email as soon as possible.

FDA aims to make the sessions as inclusive as possible and to create an opportunity to hear a range of ideas and perspectives. While anyone may request to provide open public comment during the sessions, FDA is especially interested in hearing from those with relevant lived experience and those who may be less likely, or less able, to provide formal written comments through the standard docket submission process. The listening sessions will be recorded, and a transcript will be added to the dockets of the proposed rules.

Importantly, these listening sessions are NOT the only opportunity or method for submitting comments to the public docket on these proposed rules. The public can submit electronic or written comments to the docket for each proposed product standard. Please visit the Federal Register Notice for the “Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes” or “Tobacco Product Standard for Characterizing Flavors in Cigars” for more information about submitting comments.  

Please note: Comments must be about the proposed product standards. Live closed captioning and ASL interpreters will be provided during the listening sessions. If you have issues registering or have any other questions, please email CTPOutreach@fda.hhs.gov or call 1-877-CTP-1373 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT. 

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