136 



But continuing on, it is also my belief that our citizens have the 

 ability to make choices for themselves and they don't want to be 

 continuously protected by government which thinks it knows better 

 than they what is and is not good for them. 



So let us approach these issues reasonably and hopefully without 

 the rancor that has pervaded some of our proceedings. Let us fulfill 

 our subcommittee's responsibility to seek the truth and let us be 

 divided by common sense. We do not need to be a vehicle for cru- 

 sades or witch-hunts. Let the facts speak for themselves and let 

 our witnesses answer the questions in a meaningful way with time 

 to explain fully their answers. Let us treat our witnesses with the 

 same respect we expect from others. So let us, in brief, act reason- 

 ably and with equal respect for both the breadth and limits of our 

 legislative power. 



We should remember both the terms and import of the 10th 

 amendment to the Constitution. We should fully appreciate its dic- 

 tate that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Con- 

 stitution nor prohibited by it to the States are reserved to the 

 States respectively or to the people. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to the testimony today. 



Mr. Waxman. Thank you, Mr. Bilirakis. 



Mr. Bryant? 



Mr. Bryant. I do not wish to make an opening statement, Mr. 

 Chairman. 



Mr. Waxman. Mr. Kreidler. 



Mr. Kreidler. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On March 25, this 

 subcommittee received a statement from Brown & Williamson To- 

 bacco Company claiming that its processing techniques reduced the 

 amount of nicotine in cigarettes. 



On April 14, we received a statement from Mr. Sandefur denying 

 that Brown & Williamson adds nicotine to its cigarettes. But this 

 week, we learned that Brown & Williamson developed a special 

 high nicotine variety tobacco and added that tobacco to five brands 

 of cigarettes. We have also learned that Brown & Williamson 

 dropped that project shortly after the FDA began investigating nic- 

 otine in tobacco. 



On April 14, Mr. Sandefur told this subcommittee that he does 

 not believe nicotine is addictive but, according to the New York 

 Times report of May 7, the General Counsel of Brown & 

 Williamson wrote a memo more than 30 years ago stating that, "we 

 are in the business of selling nicotine, an addictive drug." 



This is a record of distortion and deceit that should embarrass 

 even a tobacco company. We have to cut through the fog of decep- 

 tion the tobacco industry is spreading across this country and get 

 at the truth about nicotine and tobacco. 



You and your staff are doing that with great dedication, Mr. 

 Chairman, and the American public should be grateful to you. 

 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Waxman. Thank you, Mr. Kreidler. 



Mr. Paxon? 



Mr. Paxon. I don't have a statement. 



Mr. Waxman. Mr. Franks. 



Mr. Franks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



