UK BAT.COM - Our international brands

As a major international Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company, we are proud of our reputation for producing high-quality brands that are chosen by one in eight of the world’s adult smokers.

Our four Global Drive Brands - Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall - account for 26 per cent of our global volumes and grew by 16 per cent in 2008.

Kent was introduced in America in 1952 and is now sold in more than 75 countries.  It is our largest premium brand. Annual sales exceeded 63 billion in 2008, up 18 per cent on 2007 and its sixth consecutive year of double digit growth. Key markets include Russia, Japan, Eastern Europe and Chile.  Kent Nanotek, a superslim king size variant, is sold at a premium to the main range and accounts for around 10 per cent of Kent’s global sales volume.

Dunhill, which celebrated its centenary in 2007, sells in more than 120 countries.  Dunhill offers a range of premium and super premium cigars and cigarettes. 37 billion cigarettes were sold in 2008, up 7 per cent on 2007.  Key markets include Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, South Africa and Taiwan.

Lucky Strike, launched in 1871, is one of the oldest and most iconic trademarks in the world.  It’s a premium brand sold in more than 65 countries.  Volumes rose 9 per cent in 2008 to 25 billion cigarettes. Key markets include Germany, Spain, Japan, France and Argentina.

Pall Mall was introduced in 1899 and is now sold in more than 85 countries.  It is our leading global value-for-money brand.  Pall Mall volumes grew 22 per cent in 2008 to 62 billion cigarettes.  Key markets include Germany, Italy, Russia, Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

While the Global Drive Brands remain central to our strategy, we are also increasing the profile of Vogue and Viceroy.

 

Vogue is a super premium brand selling in more than 55 countries. Key markets include Russia, South Korea, France, Poland and Japan.

Viceroy is sold in more than 40 countries.  Introduced in 1936, key markets today include Romania, Russia, Poland, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Argentina.

Other famous international brands, familiar to smokers around the world, include:

Rothmans was launched in 1890 and is now sold in some 60 countries.  Key markets include France, Italy, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Libya and Egypt.

Kool was introduced in 1933 and is among the world's biggest selling menthol cigarettes.  Kool is sold in some 20 countries and is very popular in Japan, the United States and Latin America.

Benson & Hedges cigarettes were created for the Prince of Wales in 1873.  British American Tobacco acquired the rights to the brand in a large number of overseas markets in 1956.  Today, our companies sell Benson & Hedges in more than 50 countries outside the European Union, including Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Malaysia.

State Express 555 was launched in 1895 and is now sold in more than 20 countries.  The brand is particularly popular with smokers in China, Taiwan, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Peter Stuyvesant was first launched in South Africa in 1954 and then internationally in 1957.  Now sold in around 30 countries, Peter Stuyvesant is popular in South Africa, France, The Netherlands, Greece, and Malaysia.  Snus is currently being test-marketed under the Peter Stuyvesant brand by our company in South Africa.

John Player Gold Leaf is sold in 12 countries and is particularly popular in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.  The brand dates back to the 1890s.  We do not own the brand in the UK, Europe or the United States.