Attorney General's News Release

April 19, 2004

Missouri crosses $800 million threshold in payments from tobacco companies, Nixon tells legislators

Jefferson City, Mo. — With the most recent payment of more than $141 million, the state of Missouri now has received more than $822 million from the 1998 settlement with the major tobacco companies, Attorney General Jay Nixon said in a letter sent today to each member of the General Assembly. The state received $141,394,152.85 in the annual payment received today and on Friday (April 16).

The total paid to Missouri by the participating tobacco manufacturers now stands at $822,004,141.27, Nixon said. The annual payments are based on consumption of tobacco, inflation and other factors. Missouri received its first payment in May 2001 after legal challenges to the settlement were cleared.

Nixon's office enforces the agreement and advises the General Assembly of actions it can or should take to ensure that Missouri's payments are not unnecessarily reduced or interrupted.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818