Cigarette maker's CEO takes aim at price hike

RJR Nabisco Chief Executive Steven Goldstone said Tuesday that
congressional attempts to raise cigarette costs under the proposed tobacco
deal would be "prohibition by overthetop taxation."

Goldstone's first public comments since the proposed national tobacco
settlement in June came as a senator prepared legislation that would raise
cigarette prices by $1.50 a pack.

"When you start tearing down one end of the compromise, the whole thing
starts to fray," Goldstone told Wall Street analysts meeting in
Washington,D.C. He said cigarette makers have conceded all they can in the
original deal.

"I don't see a great deal of flexibility beyond where we are today in the
financial area," he added.