Ecuador takes British tobacco group to court
Jump to full article: The Guardian (uk), 2000-08-02
Author: Terry Macalister
Intro: British American Tobacco faces legal action in a Florida court over alleged tobacco smuggling in South America.
The world's second-largest cigarette manufacturer, which is based in London, has been targeted by the government of Ecuador for "illegally avoiding the taxation of tobacco products".
BAT, along with a number of rival tobacco companies, is accused of engaging in a scheme "to frustrate Ecuadorian authorities by making false and deceptive representations". . .
But Neil Withington, BAT's head of legal services, confirmed action had started. "We are aware Ecuador has filed a case in the state court of Florida which names BAT and Brown & Williamson and the US tobacco industry generally," he explained.
Mr Withington dismissed suggestions the company might face a growing number of smuggling cases. He believed the threats from Africa were part of a propaganda exercise being coordinated by the UK-based anti-smoking campaign group Ash.
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