South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced on April 24 that the state has received $63,095,224.77 as its annual share from the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement payment.
The payment is part of a long-standing agreement between states and major cigarette manufacturers to address health care costs and harm caused by tobacco use. The settlement provides ongoing funding to states, with South Carolina’s portion primarily allocated to the Healthcare Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund for healthcare programs.
According to Wilson, “Since the MSA was signed in November 1998, about 50 other tobacco companies have signed on to the MSA and are also bound by its terms. The settlement imposes major restrictions on the industry’s advertising and marketing, and it provides states with annual payments in perpetuity to help reimburse the states for healthcare costs and harm caused by tobacco use.” He said his office works with attorneys general across the country to enforce these provisions successfully.
The South Carolina Attorney General operates as the state’s primary legal advocate and enforcer, handling prosecutions and regulations according to the official website. The office supports victims of crime through advocacy and resources, contributing to community safety according to the official website. Wilson has served as head of this office according to the official website, which extends its operations statewide according to the official website.
In addition, enforcement efforts include laws related to securities and consumer protection according to the official website, while collaborating with law enforcement agencies on criminal prosecutions across South Carolina according to the official website.
Since joining 45 other states in signing onto this agreement in November 1998, South Carolina has received a total of $2.1 billion from these payments. Looking ahead, annual payments are expected continue as part of this national settlement.
