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Federal and State Governments continue to neglect their responsibility and duty to 

 ensure that State laws restricting cigarette sales to minors are enforced? 



We have had over 60,000 scientific studies showing that cigarettes cause death 

 and disease. We have had over 20 Surgeon General's Reports that have reached the 

 same conclusions. The time for action is now. As we commemorate the 30th anniver- 

 sary of the release of the first Surgeon General's Report, we have to ask ourselves 

 why has it taken so long for Congress and the administration to fulfill its respon- 

 sibilities to protect the health of the American public. 



Mr. Waxman. Thank you, Mr. Synar. 



Mr. McMillan. 



Mr. McMillan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding yet an- 

 other hearing on the issue of tobacco, and I am pleased that Mr. 

 Sandefur of Brown & Williamson has agreed to voluntarily come 

 before this committee again. It is my understanding he is here of 

 his own free will, and I applaud his desire to respond to some of 

 the allegations that have been made in hearings held by this com- 

 mittee. 



I am concerned that there not be a misunderstanding about Mr. 

 Sandefur's testimony today. I hope that he will not only answer the 

 allegations that have been leveled against Brown & Williamson, 

 and perhaps some against the industry, but also will be quite clear 

 about any reasons why he may not be in a position to answer such 

 questions. I think we had some of that with Dr. Kessler here ear- 

 lier this week in which he was unable to answer questions and 

 there may have been some confusion as to why. 



I believe that this committee should have a full understanding 

 of the issues surrounding Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company 

 as well as the industry. I am also hopeful that the subcommittee 

 will not get overly emotional today. Some of our previous hearings 

 have been rather heated, something which I think in rather dif- 

 ficult circumstances does not benefit us or the public who may have 

 an interest as well. 



I would also hope that the media will not only report the loaded 

 questions but also the answers to those questions. The process is 

 aifficult for all concerned and it is important the committee and the 

 public understand the facts, not just the charges. I know that the 

 chairman is interested in factual information as well, and we will 

 try to get that as we proceed today. 



I would merely ask that as we do this, the public be exposed to 

 information in a balanced manner. Not everyone is watching this 

 on C-SPAN. Some are dependent upon the print media and the 

 electronic media, and I would hope that we achieve a level of bal- 

 ance in what we do. 



Finally, I hope that whatever legislation is proposed, and I am 

 not sure that we have had a serious proposal on this subject yet — 

 Dr. Kessler did not describe specifically what he would do — that we 

 would go ahead and pull it up and get on with it. I think that most 

 of us are prepared to deal with something that is sensible. 



We have spent extensive time and resources pursuing this issue. 

 There are other matters before Congress, as the gentleman from 

 Oklahoma has said, the issue of health care reform is before us and 

 I, for one, am in the middle of that as is the gentleman from Vir- 

 ginia on my right. We are trying to work out satisfactory com- 

 promises and I would rather be there than here because, frankly, 

 I think that is more pressing at this point. 



