Carolina Tobacco has been ordered to pay US$ 31 million dollars to 46 states as part of a settlement.

The settlement resolves a dispute over the status of the Carolina Tobacco as manufacturer of the Roger brand from 1999 to 2003. The Oregon-based tobacco manufacturer of discounted cigarettes said that during this period the cigarettes were produced – under its direction – by manufacturer House of Prince in Riga, Latvia.
The dispute over which company was making those cigarettes led 46 states and the District of Columbia to file lawsuits against Carolina Tobacco, seeking compensation for healthcare costs associated with treating tobacco-related diseases as required under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
In return, the company will now be recognised as Roger's manufacturer. Carolina Tobacco, a privately held company, also sells its cigarettes under the Kingsboro brand. (pi)