BAT sales up 5 pct, driven by global brands

British American Tobacco, the producer of Dunhill, Kent and Lucky Strike cigarettes, reported revenue growth of 5 percent at constant rates of exchange in the first quarter ended March 31, adding that global drive brand cigarette volumes grew by 1 percent.
The report stated:

• Revenue growth of 1 percent at current rates of exchange.
• Cigarette volumes from subsidiaries fell 3.7 percent to 160 billion, with a decrease of 3.4 percent for total tobacco volumes.
• Board confident of another year of earnings growth in line with long term strategic goals.
• Pricing environment remains strong despite difficult trading conditions in many parts of the world, notably southern Europe.
• If current exchange rates persist for the rest of the year, the currency headwind that adversely impacted the quarter will reverse.
• Group has sufficient financing and facilities available for the foreseeable future.
• There have been no material events, transactions or changes in the financial position of the Group since the year end.
• -Shares closed Wednesday at 3548 pence valuing the company at £68.25 billion.

Australians Face Gangrene Photos as Tobacco Brands Vanish

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BAT Nine-Month Cigarette Shipments Fall on Europe and Brazil

British American Tobacco Plc, the biggest tobacco company in Europe, reported that shipments dropped during the first nine months of the year due to lower cigarette consumption in Brazil and Western Europe. The amount of cigarettes marketed decreased to 517 billion from 523 billion in 2011. Shipments in Western Europe dropped 5%, whilst volume declined