British American Tobacco, a cigarette company, to acquire Reynolds American, a tobacco company, for £71.5bn. "Our combination with Reynolds will benefit from utilising the best talent from both organisations. It will create a stronger, global tobacco and NGP business with direct access for our products across the most attractive markets in the world. We believe this will drive continued, sustainable profit growth and returns for shareholders long into the future." Nicandro Durante, BAT’s Chief Executive.