Purchase guarantees for growers, for instance, appear to be one issue the administration is discussing with cigarette makers. Lindsey said the president would like to see some progress on the settlement this year. Congressional leaders, however, have said that that is unlikely. Many farmers oppose ending the program, and it's not at all clear that Lugar can get his idea passed. The end of the program would mean lower prices for farmers' tobacco and likely cause many to leave the business, though others' operations would get bigger.
Many landowners favor quota buyouts under the right conditions, however.
Lindsey said he did not know Clinton's view on buying out tobacco quotas, though the U.S. Department of Agriculture is studying the issue. That number is now generally viewed as unrealistically high. Lindsey said he didn't think the USDA has finished reviewing the concept, however. The first draft of the tobacco settlement did not include any money for farmers, who fear that the deal could cut demand for tobacco and could therefore hurt them financially. Congress and the White House have vowed not to approve the deal if help for farmers isn't added.