Attorney General's News Release

January 18, 2000

Court of Appeals kicks out tobacco intervenors

Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District today denied all motions to intervene in Missouri's case against the tobacco companies, allowing Missouri to move closer to collecting the $6.7 billion settlement secured by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon in 1999.

Nixon said today if no further review is sought, or if such relief is denied, the settlement agreement will become final and Missouri will be entitled to immediate access to $105 million and an estimated $78 million more in April. Missouri was one of only four states without final court approval due to the intervention by four parties.

"We have overcome a major hurdle with this decision," Nixon said. "Missouri is much closer now to benefitting from this historic settlement. I call on the intervenors to end this protracted litigation and allow the state to begin receiving the benefits of this settlement."

Nixon sued the tobacco companies to recover health care costs paid by the state for tobacco related illnesses and for violating Missouri consumer protection laws by marketing their product to underage smokers and lying about the health effects of tobacco use.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818