Establishing A Research Base To Inform Tobacco Regulation: Overview

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 granted the US Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products via the establishment of the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). To inform regulatory activities, a new research field tobacco regulatory science (TRS) - has developed. This evaluation describes the contribution of CTP-funded research to the development of TRS. Methods: We reviewed multiple data sources, including the CTP-funded research portfolio, databases of publications stemming from CTP-funded research, presentations of CTP-funded research, researcher contributions to regulatory activities, and surveys of trainees on National Institutes of Health TRS grants. Results: Using data from awards funded from 2010 to 2017, we describe the research domains, tobacco products, and specific topic areas of the funded research. We document the growth in dissemination of TRS-related information through publications and presentations, and use of the research to inform CTP decision-making and related activities. We discuss the support provided to engage and develop a new cadre of TRS researchers. Conclusions: The field of TRS is relatively new. This evaluation demonstrates that a rich body of research exists to inform tobacco regulatory activities at the national level and to expand the overall the tobacco knowledge base.