Kentucky will receive more than $118 million this year from the tobacco master settlement agreement negotiated 25 years ago. Christopher Thacker, an assistant deputy attorney general with the Attorney General’s Office, said the funds are doing some good.
“It’s basically recognizing that there are harms that are caused by tobacco smoking, and the amount that we get each year is tied to the amount of tobacco products that are sold in the state by the participating settling companies. So it certainly is accomplishing that goal.”
The master settlement also restricts how tobacco products can be advertised. Half of the money goes for agricultural diversification efforts and the other half is split between early childhood development programs and the Kentucky Health Care Improvement Fund. Thacker said the settlement draws funds from four major tobacco companies.
“The national settlement agreement is set up to last as long as these companies are selling tobacco in Kentucky. So it I don't know if it will be perpetual, but it could be. Again, it's been ongoing since 1998. And since that time, the total amount paid to the Commonwealth has been 2.66 billion.”
The deal was struck when Ben Chandler, a Democrat, was Kentucky’s attorney general.
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
