Kentucky Settlement
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Five companies that make and market lesser-known cigarette brands have paid just over $272,000 to settle lawsuits by the state of Kentucky, according to figures from the attorney general's office. The companies were sued under a Kentucky law requiring tobacco manufacturers to set aside money for payment of smoking-related health claims, the Evansville (Ind.) Courier & Press reported.
The largest manufacturers agreed to pay billions for health claims under the Master Settlement Agreement with the states in 1998. Kentucky and other states then passed laws to force other manufacturers to join in the settlement or set up escrow accounts in states in which they sell cigarettes.
According to the settlement, the largest payment -- $245,000 -- was by Sun Tobacco Co., maker of GT-One, Bronco and Cowboys brands.
ITW Manufacturing, whose brand is Marathon, paid $25,140. Dosal Tobacco, whose brand is DTC, paid $2,000. Patriot Tobacco and Cigtec Tobacco each paid $100. Patriot makes New York, New York and Patriot brands. Cigtec's brand is CT.
The largest manufacturers agreed to pay billions for health claims under the Master Settlement Agreement with the states in 1998. Kentucky and other states then passed laws to force other manufacturers to join in the settlement or set up escrow accounts in states in which they sell cigarettes.
According to the settlement, the largest payment -- $245,000 -- was by Sun Tobacco Co., maker of GT-One, Bronco and Cowboys brands.
ITW Manufacturing, whose brand is Marathon, paid $25,140. Dosal Tobacco, whose brand is DTC, paid $2,000. Patriot Tobacco and Cigtec Tobacco each paid $100. Patriot makes New York, New York and Patriot brands. Cigtec's brand is CT.