Director Shareholding

British American Tobacco PLC
25 March 2002


DIRECTORS' INTERESTS

The independent trustees of the B.A.T Industries Employee Share Ownership Plan
notified the Company on 22 March 2002 that it had on the same date released
73,976 British American Tobacco p.l.c. 25p ordinary shares (the "Shares") to Mr
P N Adams, a Director of British American Tobacco p.l.c, following Mr Adams'
exercise on 22 March 2002 of options granted under the B.A.T Industries Employee
Share "E" Option Scheme.

The options were exercised by Mr Adams at the following prices:

            11,587 @ 278.74p
            19,600 @ 271.32p
            30,259 @ 318.80p
            12,530 @ 345.28p

Of the 73,976 Shares released to Mr Adams, 44,081 Shares were sold on behalf of
Mr Adams at a price of 676.5p to meet the costs of exercise and tax liabilities.
In addition, Mr Adams transferred 13,958 Shares at nil consideration to Mrs G
Adams (a connected person).

Following these transactions, Mr Adams has a beneficial and family interest in
142,644 Shares (including 93,644 Shares under the Deferred Share Bonus Scheme).
This is an increase of 29,895 Shares in Mr Adams' total holding in 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 974,106 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/Scott Hailstone /Anne Tradigo   020 7845 2888


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