BAT Says COVID-19 Outbreak Has Not Affected Cigarette Sales

The world’s second largest tobacco company, British American Tobacco (BAT) has said that the coronavirus outbreak has not affected their revenue, as even in the most affected countries, consumers continue to purchase their products.

Diane Caruana

April 24, 2020

“We don’t see any change in patterns of consumption of cigarettes because of COVID-19,“ said Chief Executive Officer Jack Bowles, via webcast at the company’s capital markets day event. “It is a daily purchase, so consumers continue to go to shop, even in Italy and France where tobacco shops are still open.”

The company shares closed down nearly a percent, in contrast to a 4% drop in the broader FTSE.

This comes as no surprise, as smokers and users of other nicotine products not only consider these products as a necessity, but are likely to use them even more during times of upheaval and high anxiety.

Finance Director Tadeu Marroco said that the company did face some manufacturing disruptions in China, where the virus originated, however production has resumed this month. Marroco added that the main sales decline witnessed was that in duty-free shops, a negligible part of its business.

No need to update prior forcasts

Prior to the outbreak, the BAT had forecast a 4% decline in 2020 industry sales of cigarette and tobacco heating products, and around a 5% drop in the United States. Given the minimal impact that the current pandemic has had on the company, these forcasts do not need to be revised.

An article on Reuters has pointed out that BAT has also maintained its forecast for constant currency adjusted revenue growth in the range of 3% to 5%, and earnings per share growth (EPS) in high single digits for the year. The company’s shares closed down nearly a percent, in contrast to a 4% drop in the broader FTSE. FTSE that has been roiled by the relentless spread of coronavirus globally.