FDA to require data from cigarette makers

The Food and Drug Administration will for the first time require tobacco companies to disclose ingredients of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

It will also require companies to disclose the results of studies done on these products.

The new rules, which take effect in June, are part of a sweeping new law passed last year that allows the agency to regulate – but not ban – cigarette products.

In addition to requiring companies to disclose product ingredients, the law enables the FDA to order stronger warning labels on tobacco products and even demand changes or elimination of toxic substances.

The FDA can impose user fees on tobacco companies to pay for the regulations.

Agency officials will use the information to determine what ingredients may make cigarettes and other products potentially more harmful or addictive. The law requires the FDA to keep the data confidential to protect the companies’ trade secrets, but the agency will disclose a list of potentially harmful ingredients to the public.

According to the American Cancer Society, cigarettes contain more than 60 known carcinogens as well as thousands of other chemicals and other ingredients. The new law will allow FDA scientists to study the effects of combinations of ingredients, something it was previously unable to do without a comprehensive list.