24 



Mr. Waxman. I want to thank the three of you for your testimony 

 today. I don't have any particular questions to ask of you but I will 

 ask if any of the others do. Mr. Bliley? Mr. Synar? Mr. Wyden? 



Thank you for being with us. 



Mr. Lancaster. Thank you. 



Mr. Waxman. Our next witness is David Kessler, Commissioner 

 of the Food and Drug Administration. Last month, Dr. Kessler re- 

 leased a letter which sent shock waves through the tobacco indus- 

 try. That letter raised serious questions regarding the tobacco in- 

 dustry's precise manipulation of the nicotine levels present in ciga- 

 rettes. The Commissioner suggested that the Agency might have 

 the legal basis to regulate cigarettes under the Federal Food, Drug 

 and Cosmetic Act. 



Dr. Kessler, welcome to our hearing. I commend you for the cour- 

 age and commitment to public health you have demonstrated in 

 bringing this matter to public attention. 



Without objection, a copy of your February 25, 1994 letter to the 

 Coalition on Smoking Or Health will be printed in the record and, 

 without objection, your statement submitted to the subcommittee 

 today will be in the record. 



Please proceed. 



[The letter follows:] 



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