    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 8, 1998]
    [Page 731]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Minnesota Tobacco Settlement and Tobacco Legislation
    May 8, 1998

        Every day, 3,000 young people start a habit that will kill 1,000 of
    them before their time. Three years ago, appalled by these trends, I
    committed this administration to stopping the sale and marketing of
    cigarettes to children. Now, thanks to our efforts and the persistence
    of State attorneys general, we have the best opportunity ever to pass
    comprehensive tobacco legislation that will save millions of our
    children from premature death.
        Today we have learned that Minnesota has won important new
    concessions from the tobacco industry. The Minnesota settlement, like
    those reached earlier in Mississippi, Florida, and Texas, will help us
    combat tobacco industry marketing to kids. This action provides still
    further momentum to our effort to pass bipartisan comprehensive tobacco
    legislation this year. All our Nation's children are at risk from
    tobacco, and we must have comprehensive national legislation to stop
    young Americans from smoking before they start, by raising the price of
    cigarettes, putting into place tough restrictions on advertising and
    access, imposing penalties on the industry if it continues to sell
    cigarettes to children, ensuring that the FDA has authority to regulate
    tobacco products, and protecting farmers and farming communities.