This is historical material, "frozen in time." The web site is no longer updated and links to external web sites and some internal pages will not work.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release April 8, 1998

                  STATEMENT BY VICE PRESIDENT GORE 
                ON RJ REYNOLDS TOBACCO ANNOUNCEMENT

     I am very disappointed by RJ Reynolds' decision to walk away from

our efforts to reduce underage smoking. I believe it is the wrong decision, and I hope they will reconsider -- for the sake of the children who start smoking every day. It is in this countries' best interest to pass a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that protects our children by cutting off their access to tobacco.

Today, we have a chance to reverse a 30-year history of marketing and selling tobacco to kids. And for the first time ever, Republicans and Democrats, parents and families, public health advocates, scientists, and industry are all working together to find a real solution to this issue. This is the time to move forward, not to turn back.

Of course, even if RJ Reynolds does not come back to the table, we will continue our efforts to reduce youth smoking, and to pass a comprehensive, bipartisan bill this year. I hope the tobacco industry will remain a strong and central part of that effort.