|
The Master Settlement Agreement
The
Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement
(MSA) was executed by certain tobacco
product manufacturers, known as Participating Manufacturers ( PMs), and 52
Settling States on November 28, 1998. The MSA provides that in exchange for
the PMs agreement to make specified payments to the Settling States, estimated
to exceed $200 billion through 2025, and their agreement to abide by extensive
public health restrictions on the advertising, promotion and marketing of
cigarettes, the Settling States agreed to release the PMs from claims by the
States. The released claims generally include claims arising out of or in any
way related to (A) the use, sale, distribution, manufacture, development,
advertising, marketing or health effects of, (B) the exposure to, or (C)
research, statements, or warnings regarding, tobacco products. Tobacco Product
Manufacturers that did not sign the MSA, identified as Non-Participating
Manufacturers (NPMs), were not released from potential State claims and did not
undertake any of the payment obligations or agree to abide by any public health
restrictions.
A partial list of the public health restrictions imposed by the MSA include:
-
A ban on the use of cartoons in advertising, promotion or labeling of tobacco
products;
-
The creation of a nationwide foundation for anti-smoking advertising and
research;
-
A ban on any targeting of youth in advertising, promotion or marketing of
tobacco;
-
A ban on most outdoor advertising;
-
A ban on the distribution or sale of apparel with brand-name logos;
-
A guarantee of access to tobacco company documents and court files;
-
Limitations on the placement of other advertisements and sponsorships;
-
Limitations on the distributions of free product samples;
-
Limits tobacco manufacturer lobbying efforts; and
-
A limitation on the minimum pack size to twenty (20) cigarettes.
Participating Manufacturer Information
Wyoming Licensed Wholesaler Information
Frequently Asked Questions
The Directory of Certified Tobacco Product Manufacturers
Their Brands and Brand Families
(The Directory will be updated monthly with any additions or corrections, and
more often if necessary for any de-listings.)
|
