CANCER SOCIETY SETS TOBACCO CONTROL LAW AS TOP PRIORITY

The American Cancer Society's board unanimously passed a resolution in Los
Angeles on Tuesday making passage of a tough,comprehensive tobacco control
law its No. 1 priority for 1998,society officials said.

The organization plans an extensive media,lobbying and grass roots effort
as part of a $1million campaign,according to Jennie R.Cook of lakespur,the
society's new chairwoman.

"We have had a terrific funding year,so we feel very comfortable in putting
the money aside"for the campaign,said Cook,who also chairs Gov.Pete
Wilson's commission on tobacco education research.

The cancer society also has hired a highpowered Washington law
firm,Hogan&Hartson,to draft legislative language relating to the authority
of the FDA over tobacco products"that can be used by our congressional
allies at the appropriate time,"according to a copy of the cancer society's
action plan.

Earlier this year,the society utilized the services of Hogan&Hartson
partner Stephan E.Lawson to analyze the FDA provisions in the deal.Lawton
is the former chief counsel to a congressional committee that will have a
key role in enacting any legislation flowing out of the proposed tobacco
settlement.

To further shore up its efforts,the cancer society has assembled a team of
lobbyists who will assist on a pro bono basis,said Linda Crawford,the
group's senior vice president for federal and state government relations.

In recent weeks,several bills related to the settlement have been
introduced in Congress and several more are expected later this year or
early next year after Congress reconvenes.

Society officials said that their efforts were motivated by the belief that
good tobacco control legislation offered the best possibility of having a
major impact on cancer in the U.S.