CLINTON TO OK REGULATION OF NICOTINE AS A "DRUG"

Clinton to OK Regulation of Nicotine as a "Drug"

Publication Tomorrow in Federal Register to Trigger Rulemaking Process

Despite the generality of his speech today, President Clinton has reportedly decided to permit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to classify nicotine in cigarettes as a drug, and to officially publish that determination tomorrow in the Federal Register.

That publication in turn will trigger a formal rulemaking process during which members of the public, as well as the industry, may comment on the proposed rules.

The proposed regulations are expected to focus solely upon smoking by children, and include restrictions on cigarette advertising and promotion, as well as on the sale of tobacco products through vending machines.

They are also expected to require that young persons seeking to purchase cigarettes produce identification, such as a driver's license, showing their age.

Although all states have laws prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors, studies show that they are rarely enforced.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), which brought a law suit establishing the legal principle upon which the FDA's action would be based, said that it was very pleased with the President's decision.

"The very fact that the federal government has finally had the courage to brand nicotine as a addictive drug will by itself help to change people's attitudes and behavior," said John Banzhaf, ASH's Executive Director, and the attorney who brought the legal action.

Moreover, restricting the sale of cigarettes through vending machines will put a significant dent in smoking by pre-teens ¾ kids who are too young to buy the cigarettes in stores by themselves.

Studies show that the earlier kids start smoking, the more likely they are to become addicted.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 9, 1995

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: John Banzhaf (202) 659-4310

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