Master Settlement Agreement

The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) is a legal deal signed in 1998 between major cigarette companies and 46 U.S. states. It settled lawsuits claiming that tobacco companies misled the public about health risks and caused widespread health costs. The companies agreed to pay billions of dollars over time to the states, and in return, they received protections from certain lawsuits and constraints on marketing. The MSA also set rules for advertising and marketing tobacco products, aiming to reduce smoking, especially among minors, while providing funds to address tobacco-related health issues.