P.L. 97-218 (July 20, 1982) required that the tobacco price support programme operate at no net cost to taxpayers, other than for the administrative expenses common to all price support programs. To satisfy this mandate, sellers and buyers (including importers) of tobacco are assessed equally to build a capital account that is drawn upon to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for any losses of principal and interest resulting from nonrecourse loans. Other provisions of this law provided for reducing the level of support for tobacco and made various modifications to the marketing quota and acreage allotment programs.