British American Tobacco Sustainability Report 2011

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Sustainability Report 2011

We expect to see more tobacco control regulation being introduced around the world. However, if the current trend for some regulation continues, such as excessive excise increases, plain packaging or ingredients bans, this may lead to a dramatic rise in the levels of illegal tobacco products. This could mean a future dominated by a black market that is untaxed and unregulated instead of a legitimate regulated industry generating significant revenue for governments.

However, we also expect to see more legislation to address this rising illegal tobacco trade, which we hope will help drive more international cooperation and stronger enforcement. This is a positive step but will only be effective if it is rigorously enforced both nationally and internationally and covers all players in the market.

The challenge I face in my role is this: how do we responsibly grow our business in an increasingly regulated environment?...We’d like to see regulation that is well thought through…And, of course, we continue to act responsibly in all that we do. Jean-Marc Lévy, Group Marketing Director

Read Jean-Marc’s full viewpoint

How we’re preparing for the future

Sharing objective evidence to help contribute to the policy debate on regulation, as well as supporting regulation for the development and sale of reduced-risk products.
Updating and strengthening adherence to our International Marketing Standards.
Collaborating with governments and enforcement authorities to help address the black market in tobacco and working with our competitors to develop new technologies to stop the unauthorised sale, re-sale or smuggling of our products.