WASHINGTON - The FDA€™s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) hosted the third in a series of one-hour webinars this week on federal tobacco regulations.

David Racine, CTP senior program manager, moderated the "Smokeless Tobacco Product Packaging & Advertising Requirements" webinar and explained that it would provide retailers with a general overview of advertising and packaging requirements for smokeless tobacco products.

Ele Ibarra-Pratt, CTP group leader for promotion, advertising and labeling, reminded participants that the presentation would focus on smokeless tobacco product regulations that are already in effect. Thus, FDA€™s recent announcement regarding future requirements for graphic warnings on cigarettes would not be discussed in the broadcast.

Pratt also noted that the presentation would only contain "the highlights" of applicable law. Retailers are strongly encouraged to consult the relevant statutes for additional packaging and advertising requirements for smokeless tobacco products.

Pratt continued with a brief overview of FDA€™s authority to regulate smokeless tobacco products, referencing the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act signed into law on June 22, 2009, that authorizes the FDA to regulate the manufacture, marketing and distribution of tobacco products.

Continue reading for full coverage of the webinar, including a retailer Q&A session held after the FDA€™s presentation.