Director Shareholding

British American Tobacco PLC
27 March 2002



DIRECTORS' INTERESTS





The independent trustees of the B.A.T Industries Employee Share Ownership Plan
notified the Company on 26 March 2002 that it had on the same date released
11,602 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 26 March 2002 of options granted under the
B.A.T Industries Employee Share "E" Option Scheme.  The options were exercised
by Mr Monteiro de Castro at an exercise price of 345.28p each.



Of the 11,602 Shares released to Mr Monteiro de Castro, 5,882 Shares were sold
on behalf of Mr Monteiro de Castro at a price of 683.5p each to meet the costs
of exercise.



Following this transaction, Mr Monteiro de Castro has a beneficial interest in
112,607 Shares (including 106,887 Shares under the Deferred Share Bonus Scheme).






Following these transactions, the independent trustees of the B.A.T Industries
Employee Share Ownership Plan hold a total of 951,034 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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