The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has secured a $600 million settlement with major tobacco manufacturers, marking the largest resolution in its history. This settlement, which will be paid to the Commonwealth's general fund within the current fiscal year, also includes additional payments totaling tens of millions of dollars annually. The agreement stems from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA), a landmark public health settlement that required tobacco companies to cease marketing to children and pay states billions to offset smoking-related medical costs. The AGO’s efforts in enforcing the MSA have been instrumental in reducing smoking rates, particularly among young people.
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell emphasized the settlement as a significant step in holding tobacco companies accountable for harmful marketing practices. The AGO has successfully resolved multiple disputes regarding the MSA, ensuring that Massachusetts will receive greater and more consistent payments in the future. The settlement is part of the AGO’s broader commitment to public health, particularly in addressing youth nicotine use. This follows the AGO’s recent $462 million multistate settlement with JUUL, underscoring its ongoing efforts to combat youth smoking and enforce tobacco laws in the Commonwealth.
