Member

Amendments 192 and 194 offer remedies to that situation. Amendment 192 is a crucial, fact-finding step. It mandates the Secretary of State to consult and report on a statutory scheme that would specifically address the regulation of manufacturer prices and the limitation of profits occurring to producers and importers. The consultation is essential because it will formally examine the “polluter pays” model. That model proposes capping manufacturers’ prices to prevent excessive profiteering. It would allow the tobacco company to keep a 10% profit, which would be seen by most manufacturers as reasonable, and levy the difference. As we regulate other utilities with monopoly-like powers, the principle is sound and well established.