January 21, 2026 NCHR Written Comment to FDA: ZYN says it is good for public health because it is less harmful than smoking. We disagree. It has never been tested in long-term studies to determine its impact on cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases. It is very harmful because it is marketed to children and teen non-smokers, creating an epidemic of nicotine addiction similar to the vaping epidemic among children a few years ago.
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Testimony of Dr. Diana Zuckerman at the FDA Advisory Committee Meeting on Risks of 3 Heat Sticks And Other IQOS Tobacco Products
Diana Zuckerman spoke on behalf of NCHR and CPTF at Oct 2025 FDA Tobacco Advisory Committee TPSAC meeting on whether Phillip Morris heat sticks and other IQOS products should continue to be marketed as low risk. We pointed out that these products have evidence of substantial risks in the short-term and long-term risks are likely to be greater.
Read More »NCHR Comment on the Reauthorization of MDUFA
September 4, 2025: NCHR’s written public comment to FDA on MDUFA says user fees should support improvements in safety and effectiveness by paying for salaries for staff to improve premarket review, post-market surveillance and other activities, and inspections of manufacturing facilities. Industry has benefitted from MDUFA’s speedier reviews and more meetings with FDA staff, but what patients and consumers need most is safer and more effective medical devices. We deserve clear information about risks and benefits, and we can’t get that when 96+% of devices are not studied in clinical trials before being sold.
Read More »NCHR Public Comment on the Continued Implementation of the National Youth Tobacco Survey
In our public comment to the CDC, we strongly supported the continued operation of the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) for the 2026-2028 cycle. NYTS is the cornerstone of public health surveillance in this field and we reminded CDC and FDA that evaluating the youth use of tobacco products is an essential tool of U.S. public health strategies to reduce cancer, heart disease, and chronic diseases that are key to the MAHA movement.
Read More »NCHR Written Comments on the Reauthorization of PDUFA
August 14, 2025: National Center for Health Research written comment urges FDA to use PDUFA user fees to improve drug safety and effectiveness, not just faster approvals. All programs included in Commitment Letter should emphasize the scientific standards and evidence that will ensure that drugs and biologics have meaningful benefits for patients that outweigh any risks.
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