Rep. Waxman writes to HHS Secretary Michael O. Leavitt asking why the nation's leading cause of preventable death--tobacco--is missing from his "500-day plan," which "provides direction to the daily leadership and management of the Department.”

*Since Rep. Waxman wrote this letter, Secretary Leavitt has publicly congratulated Pizza Hut and KFC restaraunts for banning smoking, and urged Americans who smoke to quit.