Marking 10 years of smoking fight in Oklahoma

Fewer Oklahomans are smoking cigarettes, 10 years after Oklahoma and other states settled a lawsuit against large tobacco companies. Officials credit programs funded by the state’s settlement money.

With children at his side, Attorney General Drew Edmondson on Monday outlined successes of an anti-tobacco campaign funded by interest on money awarded to the state in the lawsuit settlement. The anniversary of the Master Settlement Agreement is Nov. 23.

"These young people never saw Joe Camel used as advertisement, or tobacco companies sponsoring sporting events,” he said. "They have a better chance of living healthier lives and not being subjected to the dangers of second-hand smoke.”

Edmondson was one of a handful of attorneys general who negotiated a settlement with tobacco companies R.J. Reynolds, Phillip Morris, Brown and Williamson, and Lorillard. Since the settlement in 1998, the state has received $647 million, which has been placed in a trust fund. Voters approved a measure to safeguard the funds, making them available for tobacco prevention programs.

Interest from the money pays for an anti-smoking hot line, anti-tobacco ads and community-based stop-smoking programs.

"We are most proud of the decline in smoking among our youth,” Edmondson said. "Kids are hearing the anti-tobacco message.”

Kids are hearing the anti-tobacco message.”

Drew Edmondson
Oklahoma attorney general