Louisiana Gets $137M in Tobacco Settlement Funds

(CN) - The state of Louisiana on Tuesday secured $137.5 million through the master settlement agreement between tobacco companies and several states.

In 1998 — after suing tobacco companies for restraints against cigarette advertising and monetary damages to treat smoking-related illnesses — Louisiana and 45 other states signed a settlement agreement that, among other things, required certain tobacco manufacturers to make annual payments to the states as long as cigarettes are sold.

In 2012, Louisiana, along with 23 other states and territories, entered into a subsequent agreement to settle continued litigation regarding the states' obligations under the master settlement agreement.

Since the first payment in 1999, Louisiana has collected over $2.6 billion under the agreement.

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