UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 
FORM 6-K
 
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
 
March 4, 2019
 
Commission File Number: 001-38159

 
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO P.L.C.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 
Globe House
4 Temple Place
London WC2R 2PG
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive office)

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F ☒                  Form 40-F ☐
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐
 
 

 


 
This report includes materials as exhibits that have been published and made available by British American Tobacco p.l.c. (the “Company”) to its shareholders, as of March 4, 2019.
 
The information contained in Exhibit 1 to this Form 6-K, is incorporated by reference into the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statements File Nos. 333-223678 and 333-219440, and related Prospectuses, as such Registration Statements and Prospectuses may be amended from time to time.
 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
 
Description
   
Exhibit 1
  
Press Release entitled “Quebec tobacco class action Court of Appeal judgment issued” dated March 4, 2019
     
Exhibit 2   
Press Release entitled “British American Tobacco p.l.c. Notification in Accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.14R(2)” dated March 4, 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
 
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Sophie Kerr  
    Name:  Sophie Kerr  
    Title:    Assistant Secretary  
       
 
Date:  March 4, 2019







Exhibit 1
 
4 March 2019
 
British American Tobacco p.l.c. (“British American Tobacco”)

Quebec tobacco class action Court of Appeal judgment issued

The judgment in the two Quebec Class Action lawsuits against our subsidiary, Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd., and two other Canadian tobacco companies was publicly issued by the Quebec Court of Appeal in Montreal on 1 st March 2019.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the Superior Court’s decision of May 2015.
 
A British American Tobacco spokesperson said:
 
“We are extremely disappointed that the Quebec Court of Appeal did not overturn the trial court’s judgment against our Canadian subsidiary, Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. We are still of the view that this decision is wrong – ignoring the reality that both adult consumers and government have known about the risk associated with smoking for decades. As a result, we believe it should be overturned.
 
“Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. needs to review the court’s decision in more detail and will decide on next steps over the coming days and weeks. Given the significance of the judgment, they have said that they fully intend to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.”
 
Following the release of the judgment from the Quebec Court of Appeal, the plaintiffs requested immediate release of the funds on deposit, which was refused. They then filed a formal motion to release the funds. Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. filed a motion to prevent the release of the funds in question.

British American Tobacco was not a party to the proceeding and is not a party to the judgment, only its Canadian subsidiary, Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd.


NOTES TO EDITORS
The judgment follows an almost 20-year legal challenge against British American Tobacco’s Canadian subsidiary, Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. as well as Philip Morris International’s and Japan Tobacco International’s Canadian subsidiaries.

The cases were brought against the three Canadian tobacco manufacturers on behalf of two groups of Plaintiffs: smokers, who smoked a minimum of 12 pack-years and who were diagnosed with lung, throat and laryngeal cancer or emphysema prior to 12 th March 2012; and smokers who were addicted to nicotine at the time the proceedings were commenced (September 1998) and remained addicted until at least 21 st February 2005.


About British American Tobacco
British American Tobacco (BAT) is one of the world’s leading, multi-category consumer goods companies, providing tobacco and nicotine products to millions of consumers around the world. It employs over 55,000 people, with market leadership in over 55 countries and factories in 48. Its Strategic Portfolio is made up of its global cigarette brands and a growing range of potentially reduced-risk products. These include vapour, tobacco heating products, modern oral products including tobacco-free nicotine pouches, as well as traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. In 2018, the Group generated revenue of £24.5 billion and profit from operations of £9.3 billion.


ENQUIRIES

Press Office                                                   
Anna Vickerstaff / George Parker      
+44 (0)20 7845 2888 (24 hours)                                                                          

Investor Relations
Mike Nightingale / Rachael Brierley
+44 (0)20 7845 1180 / 1519

 
Exhibit 2

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO p.l.c.
NOTIFICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH LISTING RULE 9.6.14R(2)

Notification is made in accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.14R(2) that Ms Holly Keller Koeppel, a Non-Executive Director of British American Tobacco p.l.c., has been appointed as a Director of Arch Coal Inc., a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, effective 1 March 2019.

S Kerr
Assistant Secretary

4 March 2019

Enquiries:
 
British American Tobacco Press Office
+44 (0) 20 7845 2888 (24 hours)  |  @BATPress  
 
British American Tobacco Investor Relations
Mike Nightingale / Rachael Brierley / John Harney
+44 (0) 20 7845 1180 / 1519/ 1263