    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 6, 1998]
    [Pages 707-708]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Proposed Tobacco Legislation
    May 6, 1998

        I commend Representatives Hansen and
    Meehan for their hard work in putting
    together a strong bipartisan comprehensive tobacco bill designed to
    reduce youth smoking in this country. The Hansen-Meehan bill contains a
    substantial price increase, strong industry and 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 strong protections against exposure to environmental
    tobacco smoke. I look forward to working with them

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    to ensure that their legislation adequately protects tobacco farmers and
    to pass a comprehensive tobacco bill this year.