Statement of Philip Morris U.S.A New York, July 13 1995 For further information; contact: Karen Daragan (212) 880-4146 Philip Morris tobacco industry critics agree on one thing; at least kids and should not smoke sweepilg ction initiative to In fact, Philip Morris has already voluntarily undertaken prevent minors' access t0 cigarettes_ Our initiative , which we call Against Access 9e has ton major ements that will a long way toward ensuring that the only way to acquire cigarettes legally will in a face-to-face transaction, where edmnpeigon proof of age can be checked in In addition to Philip Morris" own actions "gupeoding legislation to restrict such as discontinuance of wC are state vending sales and t0 require retailer licensing itis in fact; the statcs to Congress has given responsibility for curbing youth access which With this sort of tough action and the involvement of parents, teachers and others t0 convince minors not to smoke we can make great progress in keeping kids away from cigarettes and cigarettes away Irom kids As committed as Philip Morris is to preventing youth access t0 cigarettes we are equally committed to ensuring that adult smokers can continue t0 purchase cigarettes in a free marketplace. That free marketplace includes the right of eactvides information to smokers, including advertising and manufacturers promotiona that allow us to help maintain brand loyalty and persuade adult smokers to switch to our brands_ As to regulation of cigarettes by the Food and Drug Administration, there is simple answer;' The FDA has no authority to regulate cigarettes: oth Congress and the FDA, itself; have repeatedly and consistently stated that the FDA has no position that the courts have upheld such authorty, by At a time when Congress is responding to the message of last year's election overnment, Commissioner Kessler, an trying to shrink the size of the federa unelected federal regulator; is trying to expand the role of his agency into an area Congress has reserved t0 others. Commissioner Kessler'$ continuing crusade against the tobacco industry also juestions about FDA priorities and its management of scarce tax raises serious Shosd the FDA be attempting add t0 its regulatory burden while it is dollars 1 being scrutinized for its inability t0 mcct its current obligations to approve new
Statement of Philip Morris U.S.A New York, July 13 1995 For further information; contact: Karen Daragan (212) 880-4146 Philip Morris and tobacco industry critics agree on one thing; at least kids should not smoke In fact, Philip Morris has already voluntarily undertaken sweepilg ction initiative to prevent minors' access t0 cigarettes_ Our initiative , which we call Against Access has ton major ements that will 9e a long way toward ensuring that the only way to acquire cigarettes legally will in a face-to-face transaction, where proof of age can be checked in In addition to Philip Morris" own actions such as discontinuance of edmnpeigon wC are "gupeoding state legislation to restrict vending sales and t0 require retailer licensing itis in fact; the statcs to which Congress has given responsibility for curbing youth access With this sort of tough action and the involvement of parents, teachers and others t0 convince minors not to smoke we can make great progress in keeping kids away from cigarettes and cigarettes away Irom kids As committed as Philip Morris is to preventing youth access t0 cigarettes we are equally committed to ensuring that adult smokers can continue t0 purchase cigarettes in a free marketplace. That free marketplace includes the right of manufacturers eactvides information to smokers, including advertising and promotiona that allow us to help maintain brand loyalty and persuade adult smokers to switch to our brands_ As to regulation of cigarettes by the Food and Drug Administration, there is simple answer;' The FDA has no authority to regulate cigarettes: oth Congress and the FDA, itself; have repeatedly and consistently stated that the FDA has no such authorty, position that the courts have upheld At a time when Congress is responding to the message of last year's election by trying to shrink the size of the federa overnment, Commissioner Kessler, an unelected federal regulator; is trying to expand the role of his agency into an area Congress has reserved t0 others. Commissioner Kessler'$ continuing crusade against the tobacco industry also raises serious juestions about FDA priorities and its management of scarce tax dollars Shosd the FDA be attempting add t0 its regulatory burden while it is being scrutinized for its inability t0 mcct its current obligations to approve new 1