British American Tobacco (BAT) cigarette volume of its five global drive brands increased 6.2 per cent in the nine months to 30 Sept, the company said.

Currency valuations undercut sales, which fell 9.6 per cent at current exchange rates, but expanded 2.4 per cent in constant value, BAT said in a trading statement that did not include amounts for revenue and profit.
Overall volume dipped 1 per cent to 495 billion sticks. BAT did not supply volume data for its key brands; Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Kent, Pall Mall and Rothmans. Pall Mall and Lucky Strike fine-cut volume increased. Overall fine-cut volume expanded 0.3 per cent.
Total tobacco volume, including fine-cut stick equivalents, was 1 per cent or six billion sticks lower at 515 billion.
“Our volume performance reflects our broad geographic spread, increased market share and excellent growth of our global drive brands. Although currency movements impacted our reported results, the Group continues to perform well and we are on track to deliver another year of good earnings growth at constant rates of exchange”, said Chief Executive Officer Nicandro Durante.