Shareholder meetings approve merger

At the extraordinary general meeting of British American Tobacco p.l.c. ('BAT') and the general meetings of Rembrandt Group Limited and its publicly quoted controlling companies held on Thursday 8 April 1999, the resolutions required to give effect to the merger of Rothmans International BV and BAT were passed by the requisite majorities.

The merger is still subject to certain regulatory approvals. All parties expect completion of the merger to take place during the current quarter. A further announcement will be made in due course.