    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 26, 1999]
    [Page 636]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Supreme Court's Decision To Consider the Food and Drug
    Administration's Regulation of Tobacco Products
    April 26, 1999

        I am very pleased that the Supreme Court has agreed to take up the
    case regarding the Food and Drug Administration's regulation of tobacco
    products. Almost 3 years ago, the FDA put in place a regulation to
    protect our children from tobacco, which the tobacco companies
    challenged in court. Every day 3,000 young people become regular
    smokers, and 1,000 will have their lives cut short as a result. I remain
    firmly committed to the FDA rule, which will help stop young people from
    smoking before they start by eliminating advertising aimed at children
    and curbing minors' access to tobacco products.