Statement re Judicial Review

Imperial Tobacco subsidiary seeks judicial review of cigarette vending machine ban

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC announces today that its subsidiary cigarette vending machine company Sinclair Collis is seeking a judicial review of the relevant sections of the Health Act 2009 which seek to ban sales of tobacco from vending machines from October 2011.

Gareth Davis, Chief Executive, said: "Legal action is always a last resort but the Government's decision to ban cigarette vending machines is so disproportionate and unnecessary that it must be challenged.

"We do not want children to smoke and supported the Government's proposal to stop underage access through the introduction of electronic ID cards, token mechanisms and remote control technology.

"These are effective solutions which have been implemented in a number of other countries and it is a matter of great regret that the UK Government ultimately chose to disregard all of these options in favour of a ban that will result in significant job losses in the vending industry."

Notes to Editors

Sinclair Collis is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Imperial Tobacco. The company is based in Wolverhampton and employs 174 people.

Enquiries

Simon Evans (Group Press Officer) Telephone: +44 (0) 117 933 7375

John Nelson-Smith (Investor Relations Manager) Telephone: +44 (0) 117 933 7032

Copies of our announcements are available on our website: www.imperial-tobacco.com