Sale of TOSCANO Cigars

10 Mar 2006 12:43

British American Tobacco PLC10 March 2006 Sale of TOSCANO Cigars British American Tobacco Italia S.p.A., a member of the British American TobaccoGroup, has today agreed to sell its TOSCANO cigar business to the Bologna-basedMaccaferri Group for €95 million in cash. The transaction, which includes factories in Lucca and Cava de' Tirreni, issubject to approval from the Italian Government and competition authorities.Completion is anticipated in the third quarter of this year. Francesco Valli, British American Tobacco Italia's Managing Director, said: "TOSCANO is a true Italian brand and we are delighted that it is to be acquiredby the Maccaferri Group which has a strong Italian heritage." ENQUIRIES British American Tobacco Press Office InvestorRelationsDavid Betteridge/Teresa La Thangue /Emily Brand Ralph Edmondson/Rachael Cummins+44 (0) 20 7845 2888 (24 hours) +44 (0) 20 7845 1180 or 1519 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange