To complete the transaction, Altria will pay $1.8 billion, or $16.25 per share, for newly issued stock representing a 45 percent share of the company. The price per share includes a 41.5 percent premium on the average price over the ten days before a potential deal between the two companies was revealed. The deal includes an option for Altria to purchase more shares over the next four years to increase its ownership stake to 55 percent.