What is the Tobacco Settlement?
In1998, forty-six states, including California, agreed to settle their lawsuits against the tobacco industry which were filed to recover the costs of treating smoking-related illnesses. The participating tobacco companies agreed to pay the states an estimated $206 billion over the next 25 years. California is projected to receive an estimated $25 billion through 2025. Santa Barbara County is projected to receive approximately $4 million per year during the same period.
In 1999, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors determined, in a unanimous decision, that the Tobacco Settlement funds would be spent on County health-related needs and programs. The Board created the Tobacco Settlement Advisory Committee (TSAC) and directed TSAC to present recommended allocations to the Board of Supervisors by January for the subsequent fiscal year.
