The Institute of Medicine issued a report recently that advises the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to set high hurdles for manufacturers of modified risk tobacco products before they can market these products as being less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.  The IOM report describes minimum standards for scientific studies that the FDA should require before allowing tobacco companies to sell or advertise modified risk tobacco products and calling on independent, third-parties for research rather than tobacco companies.  The FDA has issued a response to the IOM report stating the Center for Tobacco Products will take the IOM recommendations into consideration in developing guidance and regulation on the scientific evidence required for review of Modified Risk Tobacco products or MRTPs.