Founded in 1902 from the merger between a British and an American tobacco company, British American Tobacco is currently No. 3 in the worldmarket. BAT has a market share of about 11% (2015) and dominates the cigarette market in Canada, Brazil, Australia and southern Africa amongst others.

Most of its tobacco leaf BAT buys directly from contracted smallholder farmers. Their tobacco leaf originates from Brazil, Kenya, Uganda, Bangladesh, and other countries. Most of its tobacco leaf BAT buys directly from contracted smallholder farmers. Their tobacco leaf originates from Brazil, Kenya, Uganda, Bangladesh, and other countries.

In 2014, the tobacco control law of Kenya has been amended. The new regulations include big graphis health warnings and strong measures to protect non smokers. BAT filed a case against the amendment. In February 2017, the Kenyan Court of Appeal dismissed it.

Currently, legal proceedings are under way against BAT in Kenya. The corporation is accused of bribing of government officials. The investigations have been taken up as a result of a BBC report in November 2015.

Abbreviation

BAT

Headquarters

London, UK

Subsidiaries/Investments

Souza Cruz (Brazil), Reynolds American, BAT Kenya, Bentoel Group (Indonesia)

Brands

Pall Mall, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike

Revenue

55,6 billion Euro (2015)

Profit

6,1 billion Euro (2015)

Sales

665 billion cigarettes (2015)

Management

Nicandro Durante (compensation 2015: 4,8 million Euro)