[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 20 (Monday, May 18, 1998)]
[Page 866]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.