Director Shareholding

British American Tobacco PLC
26 February 2003


DIRECTORS' INTERESTS


The independent trustees of the B.A.T Industries Employee Share Ownership Plan
notified the Company on 26 February 2003 that it had on 25 February 2003
released 33,275 British American Tobacco p.l.c. 25p ordinary shares (the 
"Shares") to Mr A Monteiro de Castro, a Director of British American Tobacco 
p.l.c, following Mr Monteiro de Castro's exercise on 25 February 2003 of options
granted under the B.A.T Industries Employee Share "E" Option Scheme (the 
"Scheme").  The options were exercised by Mr Monteiro de Castro at an exercise 
price of 318.8p each.

Of the 33,275 Shares released to Mr Monteiro de Castro, 18,103 Shares were sold
on behalf of Mr Monteiro de Castro at a price of 588.04p each to meet the costs
of exercise.

Following this transaction, Mr Monteiro de Castro has a beneficial interest in
178,206 Shares (including 106,887 Shares under the Deferred Share Bonus Scheme).

The independent trustee of the B.A.T Industries Employee Share Ownership Plan
also notified the Company on 26 February 2003 that it had on 25 February 2003
disposed of 4,176 Shares to satisfy the exercise of options under the 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 trustees of the B.A.T Industries
Employee Share Ownership Plan hold a total of 1,075,425 Shares.  The following
executive directors, together with other employees, are potential beneficiaries
and are therefore treated as having an interest:  Mr P N Adams and Mr A Monteiro
de Castro.




ENQUIRIES:

INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Ralph Edmondson    020 7845 1180

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




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