$15.5 million certified from tobacco fund

A state board has certified $15.5 million for use in Oklahoma tobacco cessation programs.
The tobacco endowment earnings were certified Tuesday by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund Board of Investors. The board certifies dividends and interest earned after investment fees are paid.
State Treasurer Scott Meacham says the certification represents a 50 percent increase over funds certified last year from Oklahoma’s share of the nationwide settlement with big tobacco companies.
Since Meacham took office in 2005, earnings from the tobacco settlement endowment have more than tripled.
The money is used for tobacco cessation programs designed to improve the health of Oklahomans.
The endowment currently contains more than $422 million. More than $45 million in earnings has been generated by the board.