By Rebecca Feldhaus
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky will soon receive its share of the $105 million Master Settlement Agreement. The 1998 agreement requires tobacco companies to make annual payments to all 52 states and territories in an effort to reduce tobacco consumption by youth. Kentucky's share of the settlement is approximately $3 billion over the first 25 years. A formula calculating the number of cigarettes sold by companies who joined the settlement determines the pay out. Most of the money comes from the three largest tobacco companies; Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds and Lorillard.