In the 1990s, more than 40 states and several territories sued major tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health care costs. A settlement of these lawsuits was reached with U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC). In exchange for the states dropping their claims, USSTC agreed to series of marketing restrictions and to fund a national education campaign on the dangers of tobacco products. The Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (STMSA) requires USSTC to (1) ban the use of cartoons in advertising, ban youth targeting in tobacco advertising, ban most outdoor advertising, and limit the distribution of free tobacco samples; (2) provide access to tobacco company documents; (3) fund a national foundation for anti-smoking advertising and research; and (4) limit its lobbying efforts.
Governments or insurance agencies may seek reimbursement from the tobacco companies for health care costs related to tobacco. The most famous example is the case brought by individual states in the U.S.A. that resulted in the Master Settlement Agreement.
Measures restricting tobacco sales to or by minors, as well as other retail restrictions relating to point-of-sale, candy and toys resembling tobacco products, vending machines, or free distribution.
(See FCTC Art. 16)
Any violation of a law designed to ensure fair trade, competition, or the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace. For example, a government may require businesses to disclose detailed information about products—particularly in areas where safety or public health is an issue.
Tobacco products that are used by means other than smoking, such as chewing, sniffing, or placing between the teeth and gum. Examples include chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, snuf, snus, gutkha or gutka, and dissolvable tobacco products.
In the 1990s, more than 40 states and several territories sued major tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health care costs. A settlement of these lawsuits was reached with U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC). In exchange for the states dropping their claims, USSTC agreed to series of marketing restrictions and to fund a national education campaign on the dangers of tobacco products. The Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (STMSA) requires USSTC to (1) ban the use of cartoons in advertising, ban youth targeting in tobacco advertising, ban most outdoor advertising, and limit the distribution of free tobacco samples; (2) provide access to tobacco company documents; (3) fund a national foundation for anti-smoking advertising and research; and (4) limit its lobbying efforts.