Contact: Diane Maple 202/785-3355
Statement of John R. Garrison CEO, American Lung Association September 17, 1997
The American Lung Association thanks President Clinton for taking a big step forward to protect children by not endorsing the "global" tobacco settlement that proved woefully inadequate in addressing this nation's tobacco-related health problems. The President is right in signaling that Minnesota Attorney General Hubert H. Humphrey III should be allowed to put the tobacco industry on trial in January and that Congress should not allow the tobacco industry to dictate the timing of any legislative action.
While the President has not embarrassed the attorneys general by outright rejection of the deal they negotiated with the tobacco companies, the effect of his proposal today is to do just that. He has called for maintaining the Food and Drug Administration's authority to regulate tobacco. He has called for document disclosure, which the tobacco companies say is tantamount to rejection of the deal. He has proposed significant increases in penalties, which increase the cost of the deal. And, by his silence, he has not endorsed unacceptable components of the deal, like liability limits and preemption. His approach is a good deal for America's kids.
The American Lung Association looks forward to working with President Clinton and the Congress to enact legislation that will dramatically reduce teen smoking. We also will continue to oppose any bailout deal that benefits the tobacco industry at the expense of the health of the American people.
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