400 to quit cigarettes.

• Position: Triad

Blaming declining cigarette sales, Reynolds American Inc. offered severance packages to 1,800 production workers in its hometown, Winston-Salem, and nearby Tobaccoville. Within a week, about 400 accepted. The departures started in January and will run through early next year. About 75% will be completed by September. The company took a $47 million charge in the fourth quarter to pay for the downsizing but says it will save $17...