States urged to apply tobacco-settlement lessons to Meta’s $18 billion payout

Susan Morrisey, former head of Colorado’s tobacco‑control coalition, reflects on how the 1998 tobacco settlement was debated and allocated among competing interests in the state.

She recalls that policymakers faced pressure from many groups, but she argued that a substantial share should stay focused on tobacco prevention and education rather than unrelated programs.

Morrisey sees a clear parallel with the recent $18 billion legal settlement between most U.S. states and Meta. She warns that, without careful planning, the same scramble for funds could dilute the public‑health purpose of the money.

The opinion piece urges state officials to prioritize long‑term, evidence‑based projects that address the harms of social‑media algorithms, much as tobacco‑settlement dollars were intended to curb nicotine addiction.