Antigouging

Antigouging refers to laws and regulations designed to prevent price gouging. Price gouging is the practice of significantly increasing the prices of essential goods and services during a state of emergency or disaster. These laws typically define what constitutes a price gouge, such as raising prices by a certain percentage above pre-emergency levels.

The purpose of antigouging laws is to protect consumers from predatory pricing when they are most vulnerable. Essential goods commonly covered include food, water, fuel, medical supplies, and lodging. The scope and enforcement of these laws vary by jurisdiction, with some imposing fines or other penalties on businesses found to be engaging in price gouging.

Antigouging legislation is often enacted in response to specific events like natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or pandemics. Critics sometimes argue that these laws can disrupt market supply and demand, potentially leading to shortages as suppliers are disincentivized from bringing goods into affected areas. However, proponents maintain that these regulations are necessary to ensure fair access to essential items during times of crisis. The debate often centers on balancing market freedom with consumer protection.