[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 13 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
[Page 569]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Results From a Florida Youth Antismoking Program

April 1, 1999

    Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is publishing 
promising new results from the youth antismoking program launched by the 
late Florida Governor Lawton Chiles. The study shows that in just one 
year, smoking has declined by 19 percent among middle school students 
and by 8 percent among high schoolers. These results show why every 
State should have a comprehensive program to reduce youth smoking and 
why I oppose any legislation waiving the Federal Government's claim to 
tobacco settlement funds without making a commitment from the States to 
fund such efforts. Without such a commitment, States won't have to spend 
a single penny of the $246 billion settlement to reduce youth smoking. 
We must act now: Every day 3,000 children become regular smokers, and 
1,000 will have their lives cut short as a result.

Note: This statement was embargoed for release by the Office of the 
Press Secretary until 4 p.m.