The company faces stiff competition from rivals like British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco.

FORBES: Gurus Smoke It Up

Japan Tobacco, which ranks at No. 312 on Forbes list of the world's 2, 000 largest public companies, is already the third-largest tobacco company, behind Philip Morris and British American Tobacco (BAT).

FORBES: Magazine Article

Japan Tobacco, which ranks at No. 312 on Forbes list of the world's 2, 000 largest public companies, is already the third-largest tobacco company, behind Philip Morris and British American Tobacco (amex: BTI - news - people ) (BAT).

FORBES: Japan Tobacco Deal Is All About Russia

Spokesmen for Reynolds American, parent company of RJ Reynolds, and UK company British American Tobacco said each would now be appealing the judge's decision.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Tobacco firms sued over low tar