    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [February 15, 1996]
    [Page 264]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Report on Tobacco and Youth
    February 15, 1996

        This week at the White House, I heard directly from a group of
    children about the easy access and allure of cigarettes.
        This report is further evidence that parents need all the help they
    can get in their daily struggle to keep our kids tobacco-free.
        Every day, more than 3,000 young people become regular smokers.
    Nearly a thousand of them will have their lives shortened because of
    tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable
    death in this country, contributing to more than 30 percent of all
    cancer deaths.
        Let me be clear: This administration will continue to lead the fight
    to help parents protect children from the hazards of tobacco addiction.

    Note: The Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease
    Control and Prevention released the report entitled ``Accessibility of
    Tobacco Products to Youths Aged 12-17 Years--United States, 1989 and
    1993'' on February 16.