R.J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson to Merge Tobacco Operations.

The Charlotte Observer, N.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Oct. 28--R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc. announced plans Monday to merge with Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., a move that could bring 800 jobs to Winston-Salem.

The proposed combination of the second- and third-largest U.S. tobacco companies comes as the industry struggles to sell cigarettes to a decreasing number of smokers while fending of increasing gains by discount brands.

The new company, Reynolds American Inc., would control about 30 percent of the U.S. market for c