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Tobacco Settlement

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK –

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The state has received more than $77.1 million from the tobacco industry as part of a legal settlement that imposed sweeping changes on tobacco companies.

State Treasurer Scott Meacham says his office received the money Thursday from the trustee of the tobacco settlement funds.

Almost $58 million was deposited into a tobacco settlement trust fund to fight tobacco addiction and promote health and wellness. That fund now has a balance of almost $558 million.

Only the earnings from the trust can be spent on programs to improve the health and well-being of Oklahomans. The fund has generated more than $63 million in earnings, including $18 million last year alone.

Oklahoma's share of the 1998 settlement is estimated at about $2 billion over 25 years.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.