[Federal Register: January 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 13)] [Notices] [Page 3305-3306] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21ja99-75] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health Proposed Data Collection, Comment Request; American Stop Smoking Intervention Study for Cancer Prevention (ASSIST) Final Evaluation: ``Strength of Tobacco Control Research Evaluation'' SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. PROPOSED COLLECTION: Title: American Stop Smoking Intervention Study for Cancer Prevention (ASSIST) Final Evaluation: ``Strength of Tobacco Control Research Evaluation''. Type of Information Request: New. Need and Use of Information Collection: ``The Strength of Tobacco Control Research Evaluation'' will collect data on financial resources, capacity, and specific efforts to control tobacco use. The data will be collected from professionals working in the field, in project management, and in senior agency administration within major state- level organizations concerned with tobacco control, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data will be used by the National Cancer Institute to evaluate the effectiveness of the American Stop Smoking Intervention Study for Cancer Prevention (ASSIST), a large- scale, 17-state demonstration project. Data will be used to develop a ``strength of tobacco control'' construct for use in evaluation of the overall ASSIST intervention. This study will also provide valuable information to Government agencies and to the general public necessary for tobacco control research. Data will be collected from September to November 1999, from approximately 1,428 individuals in 357 organizations in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Frequency of Response: One-time study. Affected [[Page 3306]] Public: Individuals. Type of Respondents: Professionals in tobacco control organizations. The annual reporting burden is as follows: Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,428; Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1; Average Burden Hours per Response: .54; and Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Requested: 773. The annualized cost to the respondents is estimated at $31,833. There are no Operating or Maintenance Costs to report. REQUEST FOR COMMENTS: Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, contact Frances Stillman, Ed.D., Public Health Advisor, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza North, Room 241, 6130 Executive Boulevard MSC 7337, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7337, or call non-toll free number (301) 496-8584, or FAX your request to (301) 496- 8675. COMMENTS DUE DATE: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 60 days of the date of this publication. Dated: January 12, 1999. Reesa Nichols, OMB Project Clearance Liaison. [FR Doc. 99-1422 Filed 1-21-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-M