by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced Monday (April 25) that money from the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) with tobacco companies will be distributed, with Arkansas receiving nearly $61 million.
“Tobacco companies are paying into this settlement for engaging in bad business practices by misleading the public on the dangers of tobacco,” Rutledge said. “These funds will be used for healthcare research and other vital programs impacting Arkansas children and families.”
With the 2022 disbursement of $60.9 million, the total amount received since 2001 to fund various public health programs in Arkansas is $1.282 billion. The MSA imposed health-related and advertising restrictions on tobacco companies which required the settling manufacturers to make annual payments to the settling states.
