Mayodan, NC – April 15, 2009 – Vidal Suriel, founder and president of North Carolina-based General Tobacco (GT), announced today a payment to the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) in the amount of $73,876,915 as payment in full for its current obligation that is due today. The payment comes as part of GT’s commitment to the multi-state agreement by tobacco companies setting forth strict guidelines for tobacco marketing and advertising. Since joining in 2004, GT has contributed more than $546 million to the MSA.