    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 17 (Monday, May 3, 1999)]
    [Pages 741-742]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    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

    [[Page 742]]

    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.