Profits up 20% at tobacco giant

Cigarette maker Imperial Tobacco said today it increased its slice of the UK cigarette market as it announced a 20% rise in half-yearly pre-tax profits to £454m (€682m).

Imperial said continuing success of the Richmond range and growth in the king-size version of its market-leading Lambert & Butler brand helped it grow its domestic market share in the six months to March 31 to 44.6% from 43.8% the year before.