Date: Wed, May 30, 2001 10:26 PM

Subject: Cigarettes & Smokeless Tobacco Reports

Dear FTC:

I urge you to keep producing reports that will provide information about how the tobacco companies spend money to market and promote their addictive products. Tobacco addiction continues to be the single most important cause of premature death in American society. The FTC reports allow public health professionals and others to understand just how well-financed the marketing and promotion of tobacco is.

Sincerely,

M. Ward Hinds, MD