Henrico County-based Altria Group Inc. said it will increase the price of Marlboro, the top-selling U.S. cigarette, and 17 other brands as a possible increase in tobacco taxes threatens profit margins. Altria’s Philip Morris USA will charge distributors an additional 9 cents a pack for Marlboro, Parliament, Virginia Slims and six other varieties, Altria spokesman Greg Mathe said. A list-price increase of 18 cents covers Benson & Hedges, Chesterfield and seven other brands, he said. The changes take effect Monday.

Swedish Match AB, the parent company of Chesterfield County-based Swedish Match North America, is joining with cigarette maker Philip Morris International to sell a smokeless tobacco product called snus. The companies announced yesterday that they are forming a joint venture based in Sweden to sell snus in markets outside of Scandinavia and the U.S.

A House of Delegates subcommittee rejected two bills yesterday that sought to increase Virginia’s cigarette excise tax, including Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s proposal to double the tax to 60 cents per pack. The House Finance subcommittee voted 8-2 to table that bill. The panel unanimously dismissed another bill backed by public-health groups that would have increased the tax to $1.19 per pack.

Supporters of stricter indoor-smoking laws and higher cigarette taxes in Virginia turned out yesterday to lobby state lawmakers. About 150 volunteers descended on the Capitol, urging legislators to vote for bills that would crack down on smoking in workplaces and increase the state’s cigarette tax to $1.20 from 30 cents per pack. A coalition of public-health groups organized the effort.

Business and tobacco interests said they will fight Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s latest attempt to prohibit smoking in Virginia restaurants, while public health groups are seeking a broader workplace ban. Saying he was “compelled by concern for the health and well-being of all Virginians,“ Kaine yesterday proposed a statewide ban on smoking in restaurants, including dining areas in public and private clubs. This is at least the third time Kaine has promoted such legislation.

The top cigarette company in the nation is also its top seller of smokeless tobacco. Henrico County-based Altria Group Inc., the parent company of cigarette maker Philip Morris USA, said yesterday that it completed its $10.4 billion acquisition of UST Inc., maker of the top-selling premium moist snuff brands Skoal and Copenhagen. The acquisition, which includes the assumption of $1.3 billion in debt, gives Altria a leading position in the growing smokeless-tobacco category and a platform for potential growth as cigarette consumption declines in the United States.

A divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that smokers can sue tobacco companies in state court over what they say are fraudulent claims.

A divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that smokers can sue tobacco companies in state court over what they say are fraudulent claims. Tobacco companies were counting on the high court to put an end to lawsuits alleging deceptive marketing of “light” and “low-tar” cigarettes. The decision was at odds with recent anti-consumer rulings that limited state regulation of business in favor of federal power.

Never mind the sluggish economy. Reynolds Crossing is open and nearly fully leased. “We were able to get this done before the economy weakened,“ said J. Sargeant Reynolds Jr., a principal with Reynolds Development, which developed the site. “We are very fortunate. . . . All the financing was in place.“ The 90-acre development is across from the Altria headquarters near West Broad Street and Interstate 64 in Henrico County.

Never mind the sluggish economy. Reynolds Crossing is open and nearly fully leased. “We were able to get this done before the economy weakened,“ said J. Sargeant Reynolds Jr., a principal with Reynolds Development, which developed the site.“