FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE TUES 29 AUGUST 2000

ASHreaction to today's call by British American Tobacco for “sensible tobaccoregulation”

Emma Must, ASH's International Campaign Manager,said:  "BAT is being disingenuous. If they were reallyinterested in reducing the global burden of death and disease due to smokingthey would be backing tough international regulation, such as aglobal ban on tobacco marketing, not trying to wriggle out of it. The clever-sounding PR strategy they have launched today is designed to letthem carry on with business as usual - selling a product which willeventually kill half those who use it".

Must added: “They arealways talking about measures to protect children because the more they talkabout smoking being an adult habit the more it appeals to kids.”

For further information:

Emma Must, International Campaign Manager    tel +44 (0)20 7739 5902 (w)

Clive Bates, Director   tel.  +44 (0)20 7739 5902 (w)   077 6879 1237 (m)