In the 1990s, 46 states and several territories sued major tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health care costs. In a settlement of these lawsuits, the states agreed to dismiss their claims. In exchange, the tobacco companies agreed to a series of marketing restrictions and to pay the states more than $200 billion over the first 25 years of the agreement. Specifically, the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) requires that participating tobacco companies (1) restrict their advertising, sponsorship, lobbying, and litigation activities, particularly those activities that are seen as targeting youth (including a ban on tobacco billboards and cartoon advertising and limits on event sponsorship); (2) dissolve three specific tobacco trade groups; (3) make public the documents that the participating tobacco companies had disclosed during the litigation; (4) fund an anti-tobacco education campaign through the creation of the American Legacy Foundation; and (5) make annual payments to the settling states forever.
Governments or insurance agencies may seek reimbursement from the tobacco companies for health care costs related to tobacco. The most famous example is the case brought by individual states in the U.S.A. that resulted in the Master Settlement Agreement.
Measures restricting tobacco sales to or by minors, as well as other retail restrictions relating to point-of-sale, candy and toys resembling tobacco products, vending machines, or free distribution.
(See FCTC Art. 16)
Any violation of a law designed to ensure fair trade, competition, or the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. For example, a government may require businesses to disclose detailed information about products—particularly in areas where safety or public health is an issue.
In the 1990s, 46 states and several territories sued major tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health care costs. In a settlement of these lawsuits, the states agreed to dismiss their claims. In exchange, the tobacco companies agreed to a series of marketing restrictions and to pay the states more than $200 billion over the first 25 years of the agreement. Specifically, the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) requires that participating tobacco companies (1) restrict their advertising, sponsorship, lobbying, and litigation activities, particularly those activities that are seen as targeting youth (including a ban on tobacco billboards and cartoon advertising and limits on event sponsorship); (2) dissolve three specific tobacco trade groups; (3) make public the documents that the participating tobacco companies had disclosed during the litigation; (4) fund an anti-tobacco education campaign through the creation of the American Legacy Foundation; and (5) make annual payments to the settling states forever.