Director Shareholding

British American Tobacco PLC
04 March 2003



DIRECTORS' INTERESTS


The independent trustee of the British American Tobacco Group Employee Trust
notified the Company on 3 March 2003 that it had on 3 March 2003 released 52,689
British American Tobacco p.l.c. 25p ordinary shares (the "Shares") to Mr P N
Adams, a Director of British American Tobacco p.l.c., following Mr Adam's
exercise on 3 March 2003 of an award made under the British American Tobacco
Long Term Incentive Plan.


Of the 52,689 Shares released to Mr Adams, 21,140 Shares were sold on behalf of
Mr Adams at a price of 622p per Share to meet his tax liability.



In addition, the Company was notified on 20 February 2003 that on 22 April 2002
and 17 September 2002 Mrs G Adams (a connected person) acquired 477 and 645
Shares respectively as a result of the reinvestment of dividends by her
investment manager.  The average closing middle market price of the Shares on 22
April 2002 and 17 September 2002 was 663p and 737.5p per Share respectively.



Following these transactions, Mr Adams has a total beneficial and family
interest in 176,300 Shares (including 93,644 Shares under the Deferred Share
Bonus Scheme).





The independent trustee of the British American Tobacco Group Employee Trust
also notified the Company on 3 March 2003 that it had on 28 February 2003
disposed of 16,711 Shares to satisfy the exercise of options under the British
American Tobacco Share Option Scheme. The participant in respect of whom the
disposal of shares was made is not a director of British American Tobacco p.l.c.





Following these transactions, the independent trustee of the British American
Tobacco Group Employee Trust holds a total of 35,809,622 Shares.  The following
executive directors, together with other employees, are potential beneficiaries
and are therefore treated as having an interest: Mr P N Adams, Mr M F Broughton,
Mr A Monteiro de Castro and Mr P A Rayner.









ENQUIRIES:


INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Ralph Edmondson    020 7845 1180



PRESS OFFICE
David Betteridge / Sarah Corbey /Anne Tradigo   020 7845 2888




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