[Just another Joe]

the extortion they were forced to pay came out of their shareholders profits

You're right about the taxes RS, the settlement money doesn't come out of the taxes on the product, but you're wrong about the money coming out of the shareholders profits.
The only way the tobacco companies would sign off on the MSA was if they could pass the costs of the suit on directly to the consumers.
This means that the smokers are paying the settlement money, not the tobacco companies.

[RS]

"but you're wrong about the money coming out of the shareholders profits.
The only way the tobacco companies would sign off on the MSA was if they could pass the costs of the suit on directly to the consumers."

Everything is paid by the consumers - and tobacco companies can raise the price of their products at any time - Since the tobacco companies will not LOWER their prices now that they are not having to pay this part of the extortion, the money stays with the shareholders.