Holding(s) in Company

British American Tobacco PLC
10 August 2005


HOLDING OF SHARES IN COMPANY

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (the "Company") has been informed by a letter
dated 9 August 2005 (received on 10 August 2005) that:

(1) FMR Corp and its direct and indirect subsidiaries; and
(2) Fidelity International Limited and its direct and indirect subsidiaries,

as at 9 August 2005, had a notifiable interest, for the purposes of Part VI of
the Companies Act 1985, in:
     
(a)  54,918,452 ordinary shares of 25p each in the Company (Ordinary Shares");
     and

(b)  9,034,000 Ordinary Shares represented by 4,517,000 American Depositary
     Receipts ("ADRs"), each ADR being represented by 2 Ordinary Shares,

being a total notifiable interest of 63,952,452 Ordinary Shares representing
3.026% of the Company's issued ordinary share capital.

Both FMR Corp and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and Fidelity
International Limited and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are noted as
having acquired the notifiable interest solely for investment purposes, both
being non-beneficial holders.


Contact:

G C W Cunnington
Deputy Secretary
020 7845 1925

Date: 10 August 2005


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange