It was announced today that British American Tobacco has instigated a merger with its rival Rothmans to combine the second and fourth largest privately owned cigarette producers in the world. The merger must undergo approval from authorities. If accepted, it could be completed by May of this year. Besides impacts by job losses on respective labor, possible cigarette price increases and BAT/Rothmans market gains, speculation regarding the future of Williams sponsorship has surfaced in the world of Formula One. However, no announcement has been made with regards to sponsorship impacts on Williams and BAR at this time.