British American Tobacco to cut 9,000 jobs globally

British American Tobacco announced a major restructuring on Monday, June 29, 2026, that will eliminate 5,500 jobs globally and outsource an additional 3,500 roles to partner firms, affecting a total of 9,000 employees. The cuts represent nearly 20 percent of the company's 47,000-strong global workforce, though the company confirmed its U.S. operations, run by subsidiary Reynolds American, will not be affected.

The London-headquartered tobacco giant said the reductions are part of its ongoing "Fit2Win" transformation program, launched in 2025, which aims to streamline operations and cut costs. The company expects the restructuring to deliver annualized savings of 600 million pounds by 2028, with 500 million pounds already targeted for 2027. The job cuts have already begun and are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

The announcement reflects the broader challenges facing the tobacco industry as demand for traditional cigarettes declines in developed markets. British American Tobacco, which owns brands including Lucky Strike and Dunhill, is shifting its focus to newer product categories like Vuse vapes and Velo nicotine pouches. However, the company has faced...