Tobacco Documents Online

• NOU-E5-199? 16:41 P, lZ•'14 JOHN McCAIN www.senate.gov/-mccain PRESS RELEASE t FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: NANCY IVES WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1997 202-224-7130 McCAIN, HOLLINGS, GORTON & BREAUX INTRODUCE BILL ON GLOBAL TOBACCO SETTLEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ), Ranking Member Fritz Hollings (D-SC) and Senators Slade Gorton (R-WA) and John Breaux (D-LA) introduced a bill today codifying the global tobacco settlement reached between 40 state attorneys general and tobacco companies earlier this year_ The bill also contains key elements of the Long-term Economic Assistance for Farmers Act (LEAF), introduced by Senator Ford (D-KY) that addresses fairness to tobacco farmers. 'The introduction of the legislative version of the settlement today will enable Congress to take a closer look and should move us toward our national tobacco goals, particularly the goal of reducing smoking among children," said McCain- With the Administration not offering Congress a detailed analysis of the agreement, the bill should serve to focus the analysis by each committee of jurisdiction. On Wednesday, McCain invited six other Committee Chairman with jurisdiction over the issue -- Judiciary, Finance, Labor, Indian Affairs and Agriculture -- to co-sponsor the bill. The Commerce Committee's area of focus includes product liability, the restrictions on tobacco sales and marketing, and the new labeling requirements. It has held three hearings since July. (Overview of Tobacco Settlement and LEAF bill Attached) IL 241 Russell Senate Office Buildino • Washington. D.C. 20510 • Contact: Nancy Ives • 202 2242235 TDD 202 224•713