LSRO is sponsoring an Open Meeting to solicit input from the scientific community and other interested parties. The meeting is sponsored by Philip Morris USA. There is no charge or registration fee for participating in the meeting, and all interested parties are encouraged to attend.

The overall objective of the Reduced Risk Review Project is to evaluate the science base necessary to determine whether potential reduced risk products are likely to reduce risk, as well as develop a detailed research agenda to address gaps in the science base and, if feasible, to develop an evaluative process for the scientific assessment of reduced risk claims.

LSRO will provide an independent analysis of the state-of-the-science that will focus on the potential of these products to significantly contribute to decreasing the risks of tobacco product use. The project will investigate a number of questions, including:

• Is the science required to evaluate the risk of smoking potential reduced-risk products adequate and reliable?
• How can issues such as potential changes in smoking behavior be integrated into the review process?
• How much risk reduction is enough?
• Can the impact of potential reduced-risk product availability on the overall rate of smoking be assessed prior to approval?

Submission instructions:
You may submit comments addressing the issues listed above by sending written comments to the LSRO. Detailed instructions for submission of comments may be obtained, either from this web site or by contacting LSRO. Only comments received by May 15, 2005, addressing the specific subject, and complying with the instructions will receive consideration by the Reduced Risk Review Core Committee.

Registration information:
For more information about registration, including a printable registration form, please link to the registration page on this web site, or contact us at 301-634-7030 or via email at RRRVW@LSRO.ORG. Registration to speak has now closed. The deadline for registering to attend has been extended to April 15, 2005, and space is limited. Note: due to the overwhelming response, the open meeting has been extended to 5:00 pm.

Travel & Accommodations:
Meeting attendees are responsible for making their own travel and hotel arrangements. The host hotel for this meeting is the Marriott Residence Inn at 7335 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda MD, but there are other accommodations available nearby. For more information, please go to the Travel & Accommodations page on this web site.