    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 14, 1998]
    [Page 758]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Bipartisan Tobacco Legislation
    May 14, 1998

        I want to commend Representatives Hansen, Meehan, and Waxman for the strong bipartisan support they have
    marshaled for the legislation they are introducing today to reduce youth
    smoking in this country. The Hansen-Meehan-Waxman bill contains tough
    company penalties for failure to reduce youth smoking, full FDA
    authority to regulate tobacco, strong restrictions on advertising and
    youth marketing of tobacco products, and key protections against
    exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. With the introduction of this
    important bipartisan bill, the House of Representatives can follow the
    lead of the Senate and finally get down to the serious business of
    reducing youth smoking in this country. I look forward to working with
    Representatives Hansen, Meehan, Waxman, and all of their House
    colleagues to pass a comprehensive tobacco bill this year that includes
    effective measures to reduce youth smoking and that protects farmers and
    farming communities.