OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The tobacco industry has transferred almost $76 million to the state in an annual tobacco settlement payment.

Oklahoma Treasurer Ken Miller announced the payment Wednesday. Miller says about $57 million, or 75 percent of the payment, will go to the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund.

Oklahoma and other states reached a settlement with the tobacco industry in 1998 over state funds spent on smoking-related illnesses.

The fund was created by a constitutional amendment in 2000. The earnings from investments pay for programs to improve the health of Oklahomans, particularly children and seniors.

Miller, chairman of the trust fund's board of investors, says the fund has a balance of more than $647 million. Since 2001, almost $82 million in earnings have been certified including more than $18 million last year.