Comment re Ruling on UK Tobacco Vending Sales

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

Ruling on UK tobacco vending sales

The High Court has today rejected a challenge by Imperial Tobacco Group PLC's cigarette vending machine subsidiary Sinclair Collis of the relevant sections of the Health Act 2009 which seek to ban sales of tobacco from vending machines from October 2011.

We retain the view that banning the sale of tobacco from vending machines is wholly disproportionate and unnecessary. We will therefore be seeking leave to appeal the judgment.

Notes to Editors

Sinclair Collis is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco. The company is based in Wolverhampton and employs 148 people.

EnquiriesGerry Gallagher (Director of Investor Communications)Telephone: +44 (0) 117 933 7014

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