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Monday, May 26, 2025

Is Oklahoma the only state with a constitutionally protected public health trust from tobacco settlement payments? 

Matthew Yim, Oklahoma Watch
yes

Though 46 states secured a settlement that resulted in major tobacco companies paying them billions of dollars annually, only Oklahoma protects these payments in a constitutional trust.

Established in 2000 through a voter-approved constitutional amendment, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust ensures that 75% of the state’s annual tobacco settlement payments are deposited in the trust, with only the earnings being spent to ensure its growth and availability for grants and programs.

TSET’s initiatives go toward preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease, Oklahoma’s leading causes of death.

A recent review of tobacco prevention and cessation programs ranking the states by percent of CDC-recommended funding placed Oklahoma at No.2, spending 85.9% of the recommendation.

House Bill 2783, referred to the Senate on May 21, 2025, would remove the staggered terms of TSET’s Board of Directors and make it possible for board members to be removed at the pleasure of their appointing authority.

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