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RAI announces dividend increase of 5.4 percent and issues results of 2012 shareholders’ meeting (PDF) 

Smokeless Tobacco Study Weighed By Kansas Lawmakers In R.J. Reynolds-Backed Resolution 

$27 Million Verdict Against R.J. Reynolds for Cancer Victim 

• Smokeless Tobacco Study Weighed By Kansas Lawmakers In R.J. Reynolds-Backed Resolution 

Kansas lawmakers are considering a resolution that would require state health officials to conduct a study about the health effects of smokeless tobacco, potentially allowing the state to market smokeless tobacco as a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking.

The Federal and State Affairs Committee of Kansas' House of Representatives has been debating a measure that would require the state's Department of Health and Environment to conduct a study of the health effects of using smokeless tobacco -- commonly known as chewing tobacco -- to determine if it is safer than cigarette smoking.

One goal of the resolution is for the state health department to ultimately make a recommendation to the legislature as to whether Kansas should promote smokeless tobacco over cigarette smoking. The Kansas proposal follows the passage of recent similar resolutions in Nebraska, Indiana and Kentucky -- all backed by R.J. Reynolds.

Richard J. Smith, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds, confirmed that his company has been encouraging the state-based studies. Such studies are in keeping with the company's "tobacco harm reduction" strategy, he told HuffPost. R.J. Reynolds has found scientific evidence showing that chewing tobacco does not pose the same health risks as cigarette smoking, he said.

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March on Reynolds Shareholders Meeting May 3, 2012  

Major tobacco companies agree to meet with FLOC and discuss farmworkers’ right to freedom of association  

Tobacco firms agree to discuss farm workers' rights  

Tobacco companies, growers and workers to meet  

A meeting between tobacco companies, growers and workers to discuss the freedom of association — or workers' right to organize — appears to be in the making after several years of urging by the AFL-CIO union.

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) of the union announced that a committee has been formed between the three groups that will work toward setting a meeting to discuss "the issue of freedom of association without fear of retaliation, wages, housing and forced labor, among other supply chain inequities."

The committee responsible for setting the meeting will include representatives from FLOC, the N.C. Growers Association, Winston-Salem-based Reynolds American Inc. Reynolds American Inc. Latest from The Business Journals Lorillard reports 10 percent drop in 1Q profits, buys blu ecigsReynolds American 1Q profits down 29 percentVote No: Amendment will affect state’s image; could lead to litigation over same-sex benefits Follow this company (NYSE: RAI) and Philip Morris USA and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, both owned by Altria Group Inc. Altria Group Inc. Latest from The Business Journals Lorillard CEO nets .2M in 2011 compensationSales upturn cheers state’s wineriesSix Shook Hardy partners leave to follow Lorillard work to Hughes Hubbard Follow this company (NYSE: MO).

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Equity Research on Lorillard Inc. and Reynolds American Inc. - Cigarette Makers Gathering Momentum 

Reynolds American profit falls 29%  

On the Call: Reynolds American CEO Delen  

CORRECT: Reynolds American 1Q Profit Falls 29% On Restructuring Charges, Volume Drop  

• Big Tobacco Tells DC Circ. It Needn't Share Data With DOJ ($$) 

Tobacco companies Philip Morris Inc., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Lorillard Tobacco Co. told the D.C. Circuit Friday that they do not need to provide expanded marketing data to the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a settlement of earlier racketeering charges despite a lower court's call for it because the order was substantially changed without cause.

Philip Morris, parent Altria Group Inc., and the other two companies told the D.C. Circuit during a hearing that a Washington federal judge erred in revising a data-sharing...

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FORM 8-K  

Summary Box: Reynolds American 1Q profit falls