the public ban has zero effect on smoker numbers. if public bans worked there would be no drug addicts at all.

looks to me like its ready to climb after its latest correct.

now the weather has taken a turn for the better, smokers will be smoking a extra 4 a day, now thats what i call a good sales multiple.

From the Blue Index blog

Lighting Up Time
May 6th, 2009

Im not an avid smoker myself, although I am partial to the odd cigar or two. What is remarkable though, is that despite the longstanding threat of litigation and the prospect of being sued for vast, balance sheet breaking sums, the tobacco companies go from strength to strength

This morning British American Tobacco (BATS), said it expects another year of good earnings growth, with no falloff in volumes in its first quarter despite tougher trading conditions. Purveyors of many leading tobacco brands, BATS reports strong revenue growth in constant currency terms, due to good pricing, with all regions contributing, and the group result also benefited from favourable currency movements. The groups four Global Drive Brands achieved overall volume growth of 7%, with Dunhill up 8%, Kent up 3%, Lucky Strike up 4% and Pall Mall up by 11%, while volume growth came from last years acquisitions of Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni and Tekel. CEO Paul Adams said the group have been encouraged by the good start to the year, and added the first quarters trading demonstrates the strength of British American Tobaccos business, despite the difficult economic conditions.

Full transcript here
http://blog.blueindex.co.uk/2009/05/lighting-up-time/

I've noticed that these and IMT have been on the rise since the BP problems, a coincidence?..maybe, maybe not, funds looking for a safer home perhaps. What do you think anyone?

British Am. Tobacco Inks Pact With EU To Tackle Illicit Tobacco Trade
British American Tobacco (LSE:BATS)
Intraday Stock Chart
Today : Thursday 15 July 2010
British American Tobacco PLC (BATS.LN) said Thursday that it has entered into a cooperation agreement with the European Commission and the Member States of the European Union to collectively tackle the problem of illicit trade in tobacco.

MAIN FACTS:

-Under the agreement, British American Tobacco will be joining forces with and working alongside the European Commission and the law enforcement authorities of the Member States; The agreement will see cooperation in several areas for tackling illicit trade in tobacco and includes the funding by British American Tobacco of $200 million over the next 20 years.

Nearly 24.. the market's gone bonkers -):

These have risen in 4 out of the last 5 years after IMT has gone ex divi, been trying to get in with limit orders for days, finally succeeded at last!

23-Jan-13. British American Tobacco BATS. Citigroup Buy. 3,195.00p 3,785.00p 3,785.00p Reiteration.. 3785.00p? chance a be a fine thing -):

Up she goes, I want a quid a share at least out of this one.

On track so far.

And another good day for backy shares, up to 3301p now, but expect a down correction tomorrow.

Down 5%ish, but only mainly as result of todays IMT news/markdown IMHO, probably now a recovery play for those not in at some point.

Pleased with the payday on Friday, fallen back since then but on the way back up again now. To go back in or not that is the question.

Stan - there was a bit here earlier on IMT.

Thanks Skinny IMT one to avoid I think, This play on BAT was purely on the evidence of what I said in post 7. It's nice when the strategy does pay off, Think I'll stay out of these for now though.

Predictably down by the Divi amount of 93p or thereabouts so far.

British American Tobacco enters electronic cigarette market in Britain with the 'Vype'

British American Tobacco has become the first tobacco company to launch an electronic cigarette in the UK, raising fears that it could eventually boost its profits with public money should the NHS begin prescribing ecigarettes as a smoking-cessation tool.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced earlier this year that it plans to regulate the products as non-prescription medicines from 2016, at which point they would be considered as a treatment option for the NHS. At present the market is dominated by smaller manufacturers who could struggle to thrive in a heavily regulated marketplace.

BAT confirmed on Monday that the firm’s new ecigarette, known as Vype, will be available to buy online from Tuesday, and will then be brought into shops from September this year.

Interims out today http://www.bat.com/group/sites/uk__3mnfen.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO72TJQU/$FILE/medMD9A4Q2X.pdf?openelement

Going Ex divi this week paying 45p or 1.32% at Fridays close.

British American Tabacco: Citi cuts target from 4000p to 3800p, while leaving its buy recommendation unaltered

BAT grows sales http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4691662