Sign In
Upcoming Event
Free Newsletter
S.C. receives annual share of tobacco settlement payments
Staff Report //April 27, 2020//
Listen to this articleSouth Carolina has secured more than $75 million in its share of the annual tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson announced last week that the state has received $75.25 million.
In 1998, South Carolina joined 45 other states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories in settling claims with the then-four major U.S. cigarette manufacturers. Since the agreement was signed in November 1998, about 50 other tobacco companies have joined the agreement, according to a news release from Wilson’s office.
Along with providing states annual payments in perpetuity to mitigate healthcare costs of tobacco use, the settlement also restricts tobacco industry advertising and marketing. South Carolina’s payment primarily goes to the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid program, according to the release.
Since 1998, South Carolina has received more than $1.66 billion in its share of settlement payments.
