The Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement

In 1998, at the same time of the execution of the Master Settlement Agreement , the Settling States, including Wyoming, entered into the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (STMSA). The STMSA obligates the Participating Manufacturers to pay their respective share of $400,000,000 to a National Public Education Fund (Fund). The Fund is used to educate and advertise regarding the addictiveness, health effects, and social costs related to the use of tobacco products. In addition to the monetary payment to the Fund, the Participating Manufacturers agreed to abide by the following public health related advertising and marketing restrictions:

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, including brand name advertising at rodeo events;

A ban on the distribution or sale of apparel with brand-name logos;

A guarantee of access to tobacco company documents;

Limitations on the placement of other advertisements and sponsorships;

An agreement to create a corporate culture of reduce youth access and consumption;

Limitations on the distributions of free product samples; and

Limits tobacco manufacturer lobbying efforts.

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