Subsidiary Disposes of Shares in Malaysian Tobacco

British American Tobacco PLC
3 April 2000


DISPOSAL BY CHELWOOD TRADING & INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED ('CHELWOOD')
OF SHARES IN MALAYSIAN TOBACCO COMPANY Bhd. ('MTC')

Further to the acquisition by Rothmans of Pall Mall Malaysia of the
businesses of MTC, announced on 20th July 1999, Chelwood, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of British American Tobacco plc ('BAT'), has entered into a
conditional sale and purchase agreement for the disposal of its entire
equity interest of 54.7% comprising 110,767,500 ordinary shares of
RM0.78 each in MTC to General Public Utilities Sdn Bhd ('GPU') for an
estimated cash consideration of RM 450.82 million.  The consideration
will be adjusted on completion to reflect the net tangible assets of MTC
at completion, plus an agreed premium for the listing status of the
company.

For further information, please contact:

British American Tobacco plc Enquiries: 0171 845 1000

Ralph Edmondson
Head of Investor Relations