Philip Morris and the Cigar Association of America have both requested that the FDA extend the current 75 day comment period on the deeming rule for another 75 days (which would make it nearly 6 months long).



The 75 day comment period is already 50% longer than the minumum 50 days required by law.



Despite the generally tepid nature of the draft rule (exemplified by the fact that all the investment analysts are saying, correctly, that the proposed rule is even weaker and more pro-industry than expected), the tobacco interests are saying that they don't have enough time to respond.



That's ridiculous. All they want is delay so they can keep selling their addictive products and work to get an even more sympathetic Congress.



The next test of whether the Administration is prioritizing health or tobacco will be whether they approve this request for an extension. I'm hoping the While House will tell FDA to say "no," but based on their record on menthol and the deeming rule itself, I am not holding my breath.



(For what it is worth, TFK is trying to keep the pressure on.)