| Thu 15 Jul 2010, 13:08 | | BTI - British American Tobacco p.l.c - British American Tobacco signs |
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BTI
BTI
BTI - British American Tobacco p.l.c - British American Tobacco signs
cooperation agreement with European Union to tackle illicit trade in tobacco
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
Incorporated in England and Wales
(Registration number: 03407696)
Short name: BATS
Share code: BTI
ISIN number: GB0002875804
("British American Tobacco p.l.c." or "the Company")
British American Tobacco signs cooperation agreement with European Union to
tackle illicit trade in tobacco
British American Tobacco said today that it has entered into a cooperation
agreement with the European Commission and the Member States of the European
Union ( "EU" ) to collectively tackle the problem of illicit trade in tobacco.
Under the agreement, British American Tobacco will be joining forces with and
working alongside the European Commission and the law enforcement authorities of
the Member States. The agreement will see cooperation in a number of areas for
the purpose of tackling illicit trade in tobacco and includes the funding by
British American Tobacco of $200m (Euro134m) over the next 20 years.
Jack Bowles, Director of Western Europe for British American Tobacco commented:
"This agreement marks a significant step in strengthening cooperation in the
fight against tobacco crime throughout the EU.
"Along with the European Commission and the Member States, we are sending out a
very strong message to the criminals who counterfeit our products and evade
taxes by smuggling - their activities will not be tolerated. We are confident
that by working alongside the European Commission and the Member States, we will
make a serious impact on the levels of illicit trade in tobacco."
British American Tobacco sees illicit trade as a major threat to legitimate
tobacco companies, so it initiated the discussions with the European Commission
for an agreement to tackle the problem jointly. The total losses sustained by
the EU and the Member States as a result of illicit tobacco have run into
billions of Euros every year.
British American Tobacco supports and collaborates with governments to combat
the problem through stronger international co-ordination and enforcement, since
legitimate tobacco industry interests are damaged by illicit trade along with
those of governments.
ENQUIRIES
British American Tobacco Press Office
Christina Dona, Kate Matrunola, Catherine Armstrong
+44 (0) 20 7845 2888
Investor Relations
Ralph Edmondson +44 (0) 20 7845 1180, Maya Farhat +44 (0) 020 7845 1977
- British American Tobacco is the world`s second largest stockmarket-listed
tobacco group by global market share, with brands sold in over 180 markets
and employing over 60,000 people. Leading global brands include Dunhill,
Kent, Pall Mall and Lucky Strike.
- There is more about the illicit tobacco trade and British American
Tobacco`s strong efforts to help tackle it at
http://www.bat.com/illicittrade
- Photographs to accompany this announcement can be found at newscast.co.uk
15 July 2010
Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Date: 15/07/2010 13:08:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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