[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 17 (Monday, May 3, 1999)]
[Page 763]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Legislation To Waive the Federal Government's Claim to 
Tobacco Settlement Funds

April 29, 1999

    I am disappointed that so few States are devoting tobacco settlement 
funds to reducing youth smoking, as shown by the new report from the 
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and the American Heart Association. This 
new report underscores why I strongly oppose any legislation waiving the 
Federal Government's claim to tobacco settlement funds without a 
commitment from the States to fund youth tobacco prevention efforts. In 
the absence of such a commitment, States won't have to spend a single 
penny of the $246 billion tobacco 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.