[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
[April 25, 1997]
[Pages 494-495]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement Announcing an Appeal of the District Court Decision on Tobacco 
Regulations
April 25, 1997

    This is a historic and landmark day for the Nation's health and 
children. With this ruling, we can regulate tobacco products and protect 
our children from a lifetime of addiction and the prospect of having 
their lives cut short by the diseases that come with that addiction. 
This is a monumental first step in what we always knew would be a long, 
tough road, and we are ready to keep pushing on.
    This is a fight for the health and lives of our children. Each day, 
3,000 children and young people become regular smokers, and 1,000 of 
them will have their lives cut short as a result of smoking. This is a 
fight we cannot afford to lose. It is a fight we cannot afford to stop 
waging. The Vice President and I are committed to protecting our 
children.
    Our commonsense approach is aimed at limiting the appeal of these 
products and making it harder for children to buy them. Retailers have 
the responsibility to make certain that they are not selling tobacco 
products to anyone under 18. Asking them for a photo ID is just plain 
common sense. Keeping tobacco billboards away from schools and 
playgrounds is just plain common sense.
    Senior attorneys from the Department of Justice, the Department of 
Health and Human Services, and the Food and Drug Administration have 
carefully reviewed the District Court's opinion. On the basis of that 
review, the Solicitor General has informed me that an appeal would be 
appropriate for that part of the rule not upheld, and I have directed 
that an appeal be filed.
    We will continue to work to protect our children and our children's 
children. We will not

[[Page 495]]

stop until we succeed. Where our children's health and safety are 
concerned, we cannot, and we will not, rest.