WHITE HOUSE HINTS AT COMPROMISE ON FDA TOBACCO OVERSIGHT

     Four days after President Clinton proposed FDA regulations
on the tobacco industry, the White House said it is willing to
allow cigarette makers to "escape" the FDA  guidelines if they
adhere to "other tough measures" proposed by the Administration
to help curb teenage smoking, according to the L.A. TIMES.  White
House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta said the "fundamental
requirement" is getting the tobacco industry to meet guidelines
so children will not be attracted to smoking.  Panetta: "Frankly,
anything that can avoid the long-term litigation that's involved
here with these regulations would be helpful."  White House Press
Secretary Mike McCurry has "hinted," but would not confirm, that
industry and government officials have taken steps toward a
compromise (Stolberg & Richter, L.A. TIMES, 8/28).