Regulatory Approval

British American Tobacco PLC
18 December 2003


 The Italian competition authority gives British American Tobacco clearance to
                               acquire ETI S.p.A


British American Tobacco was today given regulatory approval by the Italian
Competition Authority, subject to one condition, to acquire ETI SpA. The deal is
expected to complete before the end of the year.

On 16 July 2003 British American Tobacco won the auction to acquire Ente
Tabacchi Italiani S.p.A. (ETI), the State tobacco company, for €2.32 billion
(£1.6 billion )

Contacts

British American Tobacco Press Office            Investor Relations
David Betteridge/Ann Tradigo/Teresa La Thangue   Ralph Edmondson/Rachael Cummins
[phone] (24 hours)                  [phone] or 1519



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