I did not have many BAT but I regret selling them off a few years ago. I think they were 250-ish back then. There was a movement against BAT/tobacco with higher taxes, more regulation, crackdown on ads, etc.
As a non-smoker, I thought smoking would reduce substantially with the higher prices on cigarettes but I under-estimated the will of smokers to smoke come what may.
I thought BAT's profits would stagnate but was I wrong... Profits have been increasing and with the 100% Dividend Payout.. it just gets better.
A well-managed PRIVATE firm.
*IMHO, a nasty & unhealthy habit and even if I were a shareholder, I would encourage people NOT to smoke*
Greedy when others are fearful. Very fearful when others are greedy - to paraphrase Warren Buffett