The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced four new voting members of its Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) and is seeking nominations for two additional positions.
The appointments bring new scientific and public representatives to a committee that advises the agency on tobacco regulation, including questions involving nicotine dependence, product risks, and tobacco harm reduction. The FDA is accepting nominations for the remaining positions through Dec. 14.
The four newly announced voting members are Holger Behrsing, Ph.D.; Kim "Skip" Murray, representing the general public; Margaret Nolan, M.D.; and Andrew A. Strasser, Ph.D. Their backgrounds include preventive medicine, chronic disease, tobacco cessation, toxicology, cell biology, and health communication.
The FDA also named Eric Ray Walker, Ph.D., as an alternate nonvoting representative of tobacco growers. Industry representatives participate in the committee's discussions but do not vote on its recommendations.
TPSAC was established under the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. The committee's statutory membership structure provides for 12 members, including nine voting members and three nonvoting industry representatives. The voting positions include seven scientific or health professionals, a government representative, and a representative of the general public.
The committee examines scientific evidence involving tobacco products and advises the FDA commissioner on regulatory questions. Its responsibilities include reviewing modified risk tobacco product applications, evaluating nicotine dependence, and considering the potential public health effects of tobacco products.
Those responsibilities extend beyond cigarettes. In January, TPSAC reviewed modified risk applications for ZYN nicotine pouches, submitted by Swedish Match USA. The applications concerned products containing either 3 or 6 milligrams of nicotine.
The committee's recommendations are advisory, not binding. The FDA retains authority over regulatory decisions, including whether manufacturers can market products with claims of reduced health risks.
The composition of TPSAC is important to manufacturers and consumers because members evaluate evidence that can influence how the FDA approaches tobacco and nicotine products. Expertise in addiction, toxicology, and harm reduction can be especially relevant when comparing the risks of cigarettes with those of noncombustible alternatives.
According to the Oct. 14 announcement, candidates for the two remaining vacancies may nominate themselves or be nominated by individuals or organizations. The FDA is seeking professionals with expertise in oncology, pulmonology, cardiology, toxicology, pharmacology, addiction, engineering, or related fields.
Selected members may serve terms of up to four years. Nominations received after Dec. 14 will be considered for future vacancies.
The latest appointments and nominations will help determine which scientific perspectives are represented when the committee next considers tobacco and nicotine regulation.
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