On Monday, August 15th, FDA issued a notice requesting nominations for a nonvoting member to serve on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee to represent the interests of tobacco growers. In addition, FDA is also seeking a nominee to act as an alternate to this representative.
FDA states that any organization interested in participating in the selection of this nonvoting member should notify the Agency in writing by September 14, 2016. The nominee may be “self-nominated or nominated by an organization to serve as a nonvoting industry representative.”
The role of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee is to guide the FDA Commissioner. “The Committee reviews and evaluates safety, dependence, and health issues relating to tobacco products and provides appropriate advice, information, and recommendations to the Commissioner.”
FDA’s notice states that nominations will only be accepted for positions that are vacant as of the publication date of the Agency’s notice. Contact information, current curriculum vitae (CV), and the name of the committee of interest should be sent to the FDA Advisory Committee Membership Nomination Portal by September 14, 2016.
In addition, FDA states that it “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.”