Independent Review Panel

On enhanced reporting of priority additives in tobacco products

The Joint Action on Tobacco Control (JATC) is calling for experts to join a newly established independent review panel. The review panel will be concerned with the assessment of enhanced reporting document on priority additives in tobacco products from manufacturers as is described in TPD 2014/40/EU Article 6 and Annex 1. The review panel will inform the EC and member states on their opinion and concerns on each priority additive of the list.

Background

From July 2018 on Manufacturers of tobacco products will submit comprehensive enhanced reporting documents on all priority additives used in their marketed cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco products. These reports concern experimental studies on (TPD Article 6.2):

(a) the toxicity or addictiveness of the products concerned, and whether this has the effect of increasing the toxicity or addictiveness of any of the products concerned to a significant or measurable degree;

(b) the characterising flavour;

(d) the formation of substances that have CMR properties, the quantities thereof, and whether this has the effect of increasing the CMR properties in any of the products concerned to a significant or measurable degree.

These studies shall also take into account the intended use of the products concerned and examine in particular the emissions resulting from the combustion process involving the additive concerned. The studies shall also examine the interaction of that additive with other ingredients contained in the products concerned (Article 6.3).

Manufacturers or importers shall establish a report on the results of these studies. That report shall include an executive summary, and a comprehensive overview compiling the available scientific literature on that additive and summarising internal data on the effects of the additive (article 6.4).

Work

The Joint Action on Tobacco Control develops an assessment framework to guide the reviewers in the assessment of the above mentioned aspects in the enhanced studies. The panel will be trained (~2 days) in the procedure and use of the assessment framework in September 2018. The review work can be executed from your own office over the period October 2018 – October 2019. Depending on the number of applications, reviewers will work in small teams (2-3 pp) on a shared field of expertise. By regular telcons with other reviewers in the panel main findings and procedures will be discussed. A final recommendation will be finished in a meeting with all reviewers by fall 2019. A common advice will be drawn on the status of each priority additive and reported on to the European Commission and Member States.

Reimbursement

Participation in the review panel is on voluntary basis, although a basic fee will be made available by JATC. The level of compensation will be based on the number of applicants. In addition, travel and other expenses for attending two meetings (training and end meeting) will be fully reimbursed.

Selection and Appointment

Members of the panel will be selected based on their expertise in one of the following fields: Toxicology, Chemistry, (Neuroscience and) Addiction, Attractiveness of consumer products, Experimental methodology and Statistics, or Risk Assessment. Suitable candidates will be selected for interviews with members of the Joint Action of Tobacco Control. Interviews and composition of the final review panel will take place in June.

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

Independent from tobacco industry (as confirmed by signed declaration of interests)
Not be part of their supervisory authority (but may have received funds from the supervisory authority and may have done tasks for them)
Knowledge of technical content and study design
Have a PhD and competence in one of the following topics: Toxicology, Chemistry, (Neuroscience and) Addiction, Attractiveness of consumer products, Experimental methodology, Risk Assessment or Statistics.
Experience and competence with at least one of the following study designs (pyrolyse, in silico, in vitro, in vivo, ex vivo)
Working experience with tobacco additives (Carob bean, Cocoa, Diacetyl, Fenugreek, Fig, Geraniol, Glycerol, Guaiacol, Guar gum, Liqorice, Maltol, Menthol, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Titanium dioxide) is preferred.

Please submit your motivation letter (maximum 1 A4) and Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2-3 A4) with relevant working experience together with a declaration of conflict of interest before June 1st 11:59 PM to jatcwp9.applications@gmail.com

The members of the panel will be appointed for the full duration of the Joint Action on Tobacco Control, until October 2020.

The call closes June 1st 11:59 PM

Contact

Jatcwp9.applications@gmail.com