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British American Tobacco controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2026

    Albuquerque sues eight tobacco companies over cigarette butt litter

    Lawsuit filed

    The City of Albuquerque filed a lawsuit against eight tobacco companies, including Philip Morris USA, Altria Group, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Reynolds American, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, British American Tobacco P.L.C, Liggett Group and BSR Distributing, seeking to recover costs of cleaning up cigarette butts from streets, sidewalks, waterways, arroyos and public places. The city alleges the companies continue to produce non-biodegradable filters despite knowing they create waste.

    Stated objective. to hold the companies accountable for litter involving cigarette butts and recoup cleanup costs

    Source excerpt

    • The City of Albuquerque is suing eight tobacco companies to hold them accountable for litter involving cigarette butts.
    • The city attacked the companies for continuing to produce non-biodegradable filters, knowing the filters create the waste they have to clean up.
    • The city is suing Philip Morris USA, Inc.; Altria Group, Inc.; R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; Reynolds American, Inc.; Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc.; British American Tobacco P.L.C; Liggett Group, LLC; BSR Distributing, Inc. (Blue Sky Distributors).
    Source

  2. 2007

    Nigerian tobacco lawsuit

    Nigeria sued BAT and other tobacco companies, seeking compensation connected with tobacco-related healthcare costs and alleging marketing that targeted young people.

    Source

  3. 1999

    Myanmar factory controversy

    The Rothmans merger brought BAT a stake in a Burmese factory, prompting criticism from human-rights groups; the interest was sold in 2003 after a British government request.

    Source

  4. 1996

    Smoking-ban concerns in Muslim-majority markets

    Internal documents described the tobacco industry’s concern about religious rulings and organized opposition to smoking in Muslim-majority countries.

    Source

  5. 1958

    Historical knowledge of smoking risks

    Industry documents indicate that BAT scientists were aware of substantial expert evidence linking cigarette smoking with cancer decades before later public disclosures and regulatory actions.

    Source