Government Tobacco Settlements
If you or a member of your family has contracted lung disease after being deceived regarding the effects of smoking Marlboro Lights, we urge you to contact our Albuquerque firm for information about tobacco class action litigation.
In 1998, after filing major lawsuits, 46 states and six jurisdictions agreed to a settlement with four major tobacco companies; the remaining four states had already made similar settlements. Nearly 40 other tobacco companies later joined in the settlement. This comprehensive settlement is called the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). The Master Settlement Agreement places significant restrictions on tobacco companies’ advertising and sales tactics. It is designed to advance the public interest and compensate states for their expenditures due to the health problems caused by tobacco. If you are experiencing tobacco-related health problems, contact an attorney at Will Ferguson & Associates in Albuquerque, New mexico, who can tell you if you have a legal claim against a tobacco company.
The Master Settlement Agreement
In the Master Settlement Agreement, the tobacco companies agreed to:
Pay over $200 billion to the participating states as compensation for costs related to the public health problems caused by tobacco Establish a foundation whose mission is to prevent youth smoking through advertising and education
The tobacco companies also agreed to eliminate the following:
Outdoor advertising of tobacco products, such as billboards and bus advertising Cartoon characters used to advertise tobacco products Free samples of tobacco products where underage people are present Sponsorship of certain events, such as concerts and sporting events Distribution/sale of tobacco-logo products Tobacco product placement in movies, television, etc. Tobacco company-funded organizations that disseminate misinformation on the health effects of tobacco
Along with representing a significant change in how and to whom tobacco is advertised, the MSA protects the tobacco companies that signed the agreement from being sued again by the states for health-related expenditures.
Changes Spurred by the Master Settlement Agreement
Since the Master Settlement Agreement, the states’ use of settlement funds has sometimes been controversial and even prompted several lawsuits. Individual plaintiffs have sued states claiming that they are entitled to a portion of the settlement funds, but those lawsuits have generally not succeeded. A number of states have been accused of using the funds to support non-tobacco-related programs; some lawsuits brought over this issue have been successful in preventing such use.
At the same time, the MSA has achieved positive results. Sales of cigarettes have declined. In addition, youth smoking rates have decreased. Numerous anti-smoking advertising campaigns have been launched, some of them very effectively.
Despite these strides, smoking still has a devastating impact on the health of Americans. It remains a leading cause of cancer, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
Contact an Attorney
Injured plaintiffs continue to file lawsuits against the tobacco companies. If you or a loved one is suffering from the serious health consequences that tobacco can cause, contact a tobacco attorney from Will Ferguson & Associates in Albuquerque, New mexico, to learn your legal options.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.