[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.