CLINTON OKS SURVEY OF TEEN SMOKERS' BRAND PREFERENCES

WASHINGTON -- President Clinton, his efforts to get comprehensive
anti-smoking legislation stymied, Monday ordered an annual survey of
teenagers to find out what brands of cigarettes they smoke.

``Parents, quite simply, have a right to know,'' said Clinton.

He said the federal survey not only would reveal which brands teenagers
buy, but also which companies are most responsible for the teen smoking
problem.

Clinton said public health officials would use the information to try to
reduce teen smoking.

The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. released a statement suggesting the survey
would serve no purpose. Company officials said the federal Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention had provided such information in surveys in
1989 and 1993, and said most studies conclude that the primary factors in
youth smoking are peer pressure, family influence and access.

``R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. does not want youth to smoke, period. Having
taxpayers fund additional studies on which brands youth smoke perpetuates
the `blame game' and focuses on the wrong issue,'' said John Singleton,
director of corporate communication.

Clinton countered that the tobacco officials' ``automatic and angry
dismissal'' of the survey showed their ``continued disregard for their
children's health and parents' concern.''

Once survey information is available, Clinton said neither companies nor
Congress could avoid accountability.

He said an annual survey that showed a substantial difference in brand
preference clearly would demonstrate that ``there is something in the
nature of the advertising that'' generates the popularity.

``If advertising can be isolated and we can see that in brand preference, I
think it will help us quite a lot to forge some good policies,'' he said.

Under an executive order issued by Clinton, the Department of Health and
Human Services will expand its National Household Survey on Drug Abuse to
include tobacco use by youth and brand preference. The current survey,
started in the early 1970s, covers illicit drug, alcohol and tobacco use
among the general population.

White House officials said the executive order is but one of several
announcements Clinton will make in coming weeks on the issue.

Last week, Senate Republicans blocked an anti-smoking bill that would have
raised cigarette prices, placed major new restrictions on advertising and
marketing, and levied penalties on cigarette companies if targeted
reductions in teen smoking were not met. The bill, which stalled after
failing to win the necessary 60 votes to end debate, would have called for
research into the youth smoking market.

Clinton said he would continue pushing for passage.

On Capitol Hill, Republicans continued work Monday on a much smaller, more
narrowly focused bill aimed at reducing teen smoking and drug use.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)