Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I am pleased today to introduce the `Reduction in Tobacco Use and Regulation of Tobacco Products in Indian Country Act of 1998'.

After many hard months of negotiations between the states Attorneys General, class action plaintiffs, and the tobacco representatives, in June, 1997, a proposed settlement was agreed to.

The proposed agreement tries to accomplish a number of goals: avoiding costly and lengthy lawsuits that will enrich the trial lawyers; creating a multi-billion pot of money to be used by the states and the tribes for tobacco-related health problems; and implementing a comprehensive set of advertising limits that the companies would agree to voluntarily.

In reviewing the proposed settlement agreement, the objective of the Committee on Indian Affairs was to review the matters under its jurisdiction and make recommendations on how to implement that agreement on Indian lands.

After two Committee hearings I am confident that as to the Indian issues, we have crafted a bill that addresses the concerns of both the tribes and the parties that seek enactment of the proposed agreement.

In its hearings the Committee heard testimony on the use of tobacco products by Native Americans and how the proposed tobacco settlement would impact tobacco-related activities on Indian lands.

Even though smoking is on the decline in other segments of American society, available statistics show that smoking and use of smokeless tobacco in Native American communities is at crisis levels. The percentage of Native American kids who use tobacco is breathtaking--in some parts of the country 80% of Indian high school students use tobacco products.

Further, the health problems Native Americans face such as alcoholism and diabetes are compounded by the use of tobacco products. Vigorous efforts need to be made at the federal and tribal levels to prohibit access to tobacco and reduce youth smoking in Native communities.

After hearing the concerns and recommendations regarding the proposed settlement by Indian tribal leaders, state Attorneys General, federal health and legal experts, and Indian legal scholars, a bill was crafted which addresses the major issues involved in tobacco regulation on Indian lands.

The legislation I am introducing today includes legal protections for traditional and ceremonial uses of tobacco by tribal members; respects tribal sovereignty and authority to make and enforce laws onIndian lands; includes a commitment to provide the necessary licensing and enforcement funding to tribal governments that is consistent with allocations the states will receive; and a commitment to ensure sufficient funding to treat tobacco-related illnesses and reduce the epidemic of tobacco abuse in Indian country.

I am hopeful that if a comprehensive agreement is enacted, the principles and provisions contained in this bill are included to make the agreement applicable to tobacco-related activities on Indian lands, to protect the traditional use of tobacco by Native Americans, and preserve tribal authority to make and enforce laws to govern themselves.