NATO requested an extension of 60 days, from April 15 to June 14.

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets Inc. (NATO) submitted a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking the agency extend the deadline to submit public comments on the Draft Guidance titled “Modifications to Compliance Policy for Certain Deemed Tobacco Products.”

NATO requested an extension of 60 days — June 14 rather than April 15 — to allow more time to “review, analyze and prepare substantive comments” on the Draft Guidance that was issued by the FDA on March 14.

NATO wrote an “Updated Summary of Draft Guidance” further analyzing the FDA’s Draft Guidance.

“The issues raised by the Draft Guidance and the potential impact on retailers are significant,” said NATO. “This is why NATO has requested that the FDA consider an extension of time to file comments.”

NATO’s Updated Summary of Draft Guidance says the FDA:

• intends to prohibit the sale of e-cigarette and vapor products that come in flavors other than tobacco, menthol or mint in certain kinds of retail stores
• could take enforcement action to prevent convenience stores, service stations, drug stores and grocery stores from selling these other flavored e-cigarette/vapor products
• may allow these kinds of stores to construct an area within the store that is age-restricted for selling these products
• would prioritize enforcement against websites that sell flavored e-cigarettes and which have no quantity limit or do not use a more sophisticated age verification system
• will require flavored cigars (other than tobacco-flavored cigars), which have been introduced in the market since February 15, 2007, and which do not yet have an approved SE or PMTA order from the FDA, to be removed from the market within 30 days after the FDA issues a final version of the Guidance Document

NATO said it will send members step-by-step instructions on how to submit comments to the FDA and encourages members to do so.