Tobacco Control Law and Policy Resource Center (TCLPRC)

Tobacco Control Law and Policy Resource Center (TCLPRC)

The Tobacco Control Law and Policy Resource Center (TCLPRC) is a new center that aims to provide tobacco control legal and policy guidance and other services. TCLPRC is led by Kevin Schroth, an attorney with years of tobacco control policymaking experience and a veteran of litigation involving the tobacco industry.

Within the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies (INTS), TCLPRC provides legal and policy perspective that complements the work of other INTS researchers. Externally, TCLPRC provides legal and policy insight and expertise to government officials and researchers on local, state, and federal levels, advocates, and other stakeholders.

When tobacco control bills are discussed at public hearings in the New Jersey legislature and other jurisdictions, TCLPRC takes the lead for INTS. Mr. Schroth has testified in support of bills to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and to ban indoor smoking and vaping in Atlantic City’s casinos. He has also testified before the New Jersey Department of Health, City Council in New York City, the Board of Legislators for Westchester County, and City Council in Buffalo. TCLPRC has also served as a consultant to tobacco control advocates regarding proposed tobacco control legislation in jurisdictions including New York State, New York City, and Buffalo, New York.

Through a subcontract with the Public Health Law Center, TCLPRC has provided tobacco control policy advice to the New York State Department of Health and various local health departments over the past several years. TCLPRC also collaborated with the New York City Law Department regarding the study of illicit trade of untaxed cigarettes and illicit e-cigarettes.

When the FDA issues notices seeking public comments on proposed rules and regulations, TCLPRC is the lead arm of INTS in charge of drafting and coordinating public comments. For example, TCLPRC recently took the lead, with input from other INTS researchers, in commenting on FDA notices of proposed rule-making regarding reduced nicotine content in combustible tobacco products and a requirement designed to increase the FDA’s ability to more efficiently identify imported e-cigarettes that lack FDA’s marketing authorization and which may be associated with a greater public health risk.

For more information, please contact Kevin Schroth, JD at schrothk@ints.rutgers.edu.