Nebraska has been awarded settlement money in a multi-state agreement with four major tobacco companies involving a 10-year dispute over payments.

Attorney General Jon Bruning says Monday's settlement will give Nebraska $18 million in 2013 and will ensure future payments.

The companies agreed in 1998 to pay states more than $200 billion over 25 years to settle lawsuits on health care costs related to smoking. More than a dozen states including Nebraska have been in dispute with the companies on payments over the past ten years.

Nebraska has received $300 million from the companies since 2003. Bruning says $40 million in annual payments were at risk with a continued legal fight.