SmarTrend(R) News Watch: Reynolds American Buses Workers to NC General Assembly to Protest Tobacco Taxes

Hundreds of Reynolds American (NYSE:RAI) workers showed up by the busload at the North Carolina General Assembly to rally against a $1 per-pack cigarette tax increase proposed by Governor Beverly Perdue. In a release, R.J. Reynolds president, CEO and chairman Daan Delen said, "We are sending a clear message to the governor and those who support an increase in these taxes. The production and manufacture of tobacco remains vitally important to our state's economy. The governor's proposed $1 per-pack tax increase will cause job loss and economic hardship for thousands of North Carolinians." Spokeswoman Maura Payne said the employees are being paid as if they were at work. The tax increase, which was not included included in Senate and House budget plans, would be in addition to the $0.62 cent per-pack federal tax hike imposed earlier this year.

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