From: [senator kennedy] at [kennedy.senate.gov]
Newsgroups: ne.politics,talk.politics.misc
Subject: Kennedy: Senator Kennedy on Tobacco Regulations
Date: 11 Aug 1995 10:30:02 -0400



>From the office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy
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STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON
PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF TOBACCO REGULATION POLICY

August 11, 1995

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    I commend President Clinton for the courageous step he is taking.  An 
Administration finally has the courage to speak out for public health and stand 
up for the nation's youth against the aggressive, unconscionable, and   deadly 
assault of the tobacco industry.  The FDA should have had this authority long 
ago.

    Smoking is the nation's most preventable cause of disability and death.  
Every year, more than 420,000 people die from tobacco--more than are killed by 
AIDS, alcohol, illegal drugs, fires, car crashes, suicide, and murder combined.  
Tragically, most smokers become addicted to smoking in their youth.  The 
average teenage smoker starts smoking at thirteen, and becomes a daily smoker 
by fourteen and a half.

    Ninety percent of all adult smokers began smoking before the age of 
eighteen.  Every day, over 3,000 youths become regular smokers, despite laws in 
every state which prohibit tobacco use by minors.

    The epidemic of tobacco illness and tobacco death will continue unabated 
unless we protect children against this addiction and against this insidious 
advertising of the tobacco industry.    

    Bold measures are needed--and the FDA is taking them--to restrict the 
access  of children and youths to tobacco products, and to wipe out  
advertisements targeted at young Americans.  By requiring face-to-face sales 
and permitting text-only, black and white advertisements, the Administration is 
taking giant steps towards protecting children and protecting the public health.

    I commend the President for his leadership.  He stands firmly with the 
nation's children and families, and against the wealthy and powerful companies 
that  profit from peddling poison to the American people.  This is a battle we 
intend to win, and it makes all the difference that the President is on our 
side.

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