British American Tobacco’s first social report is an impressive piece of work. It is easy to read and draws on information gained from face-to-face dialogue based on the AA1000 standard. It was verified externally and tackles the difficult as well as the easier issues.

Outstanding features include:

Global Reporting Initiative guidelines have been used

Group companies in 12 countries have so far produced similar reports which take account of the varying concerns of stakeholders in different countries

The risk to health from smoking is addressed openly.

This is however, one of the heaviest CSR reports published. If trees matter, then how about reducing the length next year and printing it on less glossy 75% recycled paper?

Simon Webley, Institute of Business Ethics