Director Shareholding

British American Tobacco PLC
18 March 2004

DIRECTORS' SHAREHOLDINGS

The independent trustee of the British American Tobacco Group Employee Trust
notified the Company on 18 March 2004 that it had on 17 March 2004 released
57,254 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 17 March 2004 of an award made under the
British American Tobacco Long Term Incentive Plan.

Following this transaction, Mr Monteiro de Castro has a beneficial interest in
275,064 Shares (including 69,850 Shares under the Deferred Share Bonus Scheme).

Following this transaction, the independent trustee of the British American
Tobacco Group Employee Trust holds a total of 27,431,626 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 / Anne Tradigo   020 7845 2888



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange