British American Tobacco (BAT) cigarette volume declined 2.7 per cent, or 18 billion sticks, to 676 billion units in 2013 due to general industry declines in western Europe and other key BAT markets including Brazil, Russia and Ukraine, the company said.

“Our international brands grew volume by 2.1 per cent, of which our GDBs (global drive brands) grew by 1.9 per cent”, BAT said. “Dunhill volume was up by 9.7 per cent and Pall Mall grew by 4.4 per cent. Kent’s was 2.9 per cent lower while Lucky Strike volume was down by 6.5 per cent.”
Global drive brands now account for 35 per cent of total volume, BAT said. This year the cigarette company added Rothmans to its GDB portfolio.
Operating profit for the year rose 3 per cent to GBP 5.5 billion (EUR 6.7 billion) on sales nearly unchanged from 2012 at GBP 15.3 billion.