[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 40 (Monday, October 9, 2000)]
[Page 2334]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement Urging Action On Tobacco

October 5, 2000

    Today the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Cancer 
Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung 
Association issued a report showing that while some States have devoted 
a substantial portion of their tobacco settlement to reduce youth 
smoking, most have committed only modest or minimal funds. Tobacco 
companies are spending 10 times more to market their product than all 50 
States combined are spending on tobacco prevention and cessation. I 
encourage all States to commit a significant part of their settlement to 
address the harm that tobacco companies have caused through decades of 
deceptive marketing, especially to youth.
    With a clear ruling last week by a U.S. District Court allowing the 
case to proceed to trial, the Attorney General today reaffirmed her 
intention to hold tobacco companies accountable for their actions. 
Tobacco companies have saddled generations of Americans with unnecessary 
health costs and premature death by fraudulently marketing their 
products to youth and deceiving the American public about the dangers of 
tobacco use. More than 400,000 Americans die each year from smoking-
related diseases, and 80 percent of them started smoking as children. 
Today I renew my call to Congress to reject special protections for big 
tobacco and provide the funds necessary to allow this case to be decided 
in the courtroom, not the back room. Together with our partners in the 
States, we can and must make the health of our children a priority. The 
American people deserve their day in court.