    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [September 22, 1999]
    [Page 1573]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the United States Lawsuit Against Major Tobacco Companies
    September 22, 1999

        Today the Justice Department announced that the United States is
    filing suit against the major tobacco companies to recover the costs of
    smoking-related illnesses. As I said in my State of the Union Address in
    January, smoking has cost taxpayers billions of dollars through
    Medicare, veterans' health, and other Federal health care programs. The
    Justice Department is taking the right course of action. It is time for
    America's taxpayers to have their day in court.