LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Thursday that the state is on the receiving end of more than $278 million in payments this year.
Those payments are part of a 1998 settlement with major tobacco companies after dozens of states sued the businesses for decades of allegedly deceitful advertising and marketing.
Recommended Videos
READ: Age limit now 21 across US for cigarettes, tobacco products
The payment is provided each year through the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) and received by the Michigan Department of Treasury Receipts Processing Division and the Trustee for the Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority.
The states and other plaintiffs dropped their claims as part of a Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The MSA was between the tobacco companies, 46 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and four territories.
As part of the MSA, the states and other plaintiffs dropped their claims and the tobacco companies agreed to make annual settlement payments in perpetuity, fund a national foundation devoted to public education about the dangers of tobacco use, and adhere to certain restrictions of their advertising, marketing and other practices.
Since the MSA was adopted, the tobacco companies have paid a total of more than $138 billion, with Michigan receiving more than $5.9 billion.
“I am happy to report another significant payment to the State of Michigan as a result of the landmark settlement against the tobacco industry,” Nessel said. “This historic settlement has not only provided an additional source of revenue for Michigan and its residents, but it has also been a big win for the health of our country."