PARIS--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 24, 2008 -- Imperial Tobacco Group PLC announces divestment of fine cut and pipe tobacco brands

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC has agreed to divest a number of fine cut and pipe tobacco brands to Philip Morris International for a consideration of EUR 254 million.

The divestment of a small number of brands in certain European markets was a condition of the European Commission's approval of the Group's acquisition of Altadis.

The divestment is subject to European Commission approval and includes the fine cut tobacco brands Interval, Bergerac, Santoya and Wervicq (France), Van Nelle (Italy and Canary Islands) and Picadura (Spain) and the pipe tobacco brands Bergerac (France) and Kilta (Finland).

As previously stated in the Group's announcement on 18 October 2007, this divestment will not materially adversely affect the operational and financial performance of Imperial Tobacco.

This information is provided by HUGIN

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