Tweet Reynolds American Inc. today raised its dividend payout target to 80 percent of net income, up from 75 percent. It is the first overall increase in the payout target since R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. completed its $4.4 billion purchase of Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. in August 2004. Analysts said that Reynolds’ action is likely an attempt to solidify current investors’ interest as cigarette shipment volumes continue to sl ... Jump to full article >>

Tweet The plan to bring 10 million contraband cigarettes into Canada went up in smoke when RCMP busted what they say is the largest counterfeit cigarette shipment in B.C. Seven men, one from Canada and six from China, were arrested and are facing charges of smuggling and possessing unlawfully imported goods and improperly stamped tobacco after the bust Oct. 29. Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) were suspicious about a shipmen ... Jump to full article >>