Holding(s) in Company

British American Tobacco PLC
08 March 2005


HOLDING OF SHARES IN COMPANY


British American Tobacco p.l.c. (the "Company") has been informed, by a letter
dated 3 March 2005 received on 4 March 2005, that Franklin Resources, Inc. and
its affiliates as at 3 March 2005 has a notifiable interest, for the purposes of
Part VI of the Companies Act 1985, in 64,219,951 ordinary shares of 25p each in
the Company representing 3.0012% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital.


The shares are held through the following registered holders:


Registered Holder                                            No. of Shares           Percentage of Class

Bank of New York, London                                        57,016,940                        2.6646

Cede, New York                                                     251,900                        0.0118

Chase Nominees Limited, London                                   6,951,111                        0.3248

Total                                                           64,219,951                        3.0012

Contact:

G C W Cunnington

Assistant Secretary

020 7845 1935


Date: 8 March 2005


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