Bill Clinton: “Well, first of all, the most important thing is that there is an epidemic among our children. You've got a third more…”

“Well, first of all, the most important thing is that there is an epidemic among our children. You've got a third more 8th- graders, a quarter more 10th-graders smoking than there were 10 years ago. Whatever the political consequences, a thousand kids a day are beginning a habit which will probably shorten their lives. I mean, that is the issue. And I believe that is the issue everywhere. I believe there are tobacco farmers in the States which grow tobacco, who have been involved in it a hundred years or more--their families--who don't want their kids to start smoking. We're not talking about whether they have a right to grow tobacco or reap the paltry 4\1/ 2\ cents, which is all they get out of a pack of cigarettes. We're talking about whether we are going to do what we know is the right thing to do to save the lives of America's children. And I think it is more important than any political consequence. Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International]. Bosnia”