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Tobacco giant faces smuggling claims inquiry 

BRITAIN'S biggest tobacco company faces a government inquiry over allegations that it encouraged cigarette smuggling in Third World countries to boost sales.

Stephen Byers, the Trade and Industry Secretary, yesterday signalled that he would accept a recommendation from a Commons committee to investigate claims that British American Tobacco took part in smuggling in Asia and Latin America. . .

The MPs base their concern about BAT on evidence to the committee by the anti-smoking organisation, ASH, and newspaper reports that BAT exploited the smuggling of billions of cigarettes to boost sales and lure younger smokers.

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