Beginning in the mid 1990s, more than 40 states and some localities sued tobacco companies, alleging that the industry violated antitrust and consumer protection laws, withheld information about the adverse health effects of tobacco, manipulated nicotine levels to keep smokers addicted,and conspired to hold back less risky and less addictive tobacco products from the market. 

 

In November 1998, four of the nation’s largest tobacco companies—Philip Morris Incorporated, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation, and Lorillard Tobacco Company (referred to as the “original participating manufacturers”)— negotiated an agreement with the attorneys general of 46 states (including North Dakota) thereby settling a number of lawsuits.  This agreement is know as the Master Settlement Agreement.