Date: May 10, 2006
To: Kenneth F. Boehm, Chairman
National Legal and Policy Center
Dear Mr. Boehm:
Thank you for your "Request for Correction of Information" under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Guidelines for Ensuring the Quality of Information Disseminated to the Public. This office received your request on December 22, 2005.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is committed to providing the public with the best available information based on scientific research.
Our publication, "Tips for Teens: The Truth About Tobacco" is intended to provide adolescent readers with a brief and simple introduction to the issue of tobacco use and its attendant risks. We aim for a middle school reading level in order to keep the information straightforward and free of scientific jargon or citations.
In response to your request, we have removed the publication from our website and have ceased distribution of all hard copies.
You may appeal this decision either in writing or electronically within 30 days of receipt of this response. Your request for reconsideration should state the reasons why you believe the response is inadequate. It should include a copy of your original request, together with this response, and should be marked clearly with the words "Information Quality Appeal." A hard copy may be sent to my office at 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857 or you may send a fax to my attention(240.276.2135).
We appreciate your comments and hope the information provided above helps to clarify the state of our work in this area.
Sincerely,
Mark Weber,
Associate Administrator for Communications