The history of the tobacco settlement dollars began in November 1998. This was also the same time that the Master Settlement came into existence. The Master Settlement was an agreement made by 46 states and the tobacco industry. Before this settlement, many states had lawsuits against the tobacco industry. In an effort to save time and money, the tobacco industry settled. What that meant for Washington was a first lump payment of $350 million in June 2000 with 24 more annual payments of over $150 million. The state legislators determined that $100 million of this initial payment would be set aside in a tobacco control account. 

This tobacco control account would provide an opportunity to make a change in our community. Tobacco Free Benton-Franklin Counties was created to receive a portion of these funds from the Washington State Department of Health. This organization was a community-based organization made of people who cared about the issue and would drive the programs that are most effective in our unique area. Tobacco Free was incorporated in March of 2000 and began operation in September 2000.