Acquisition in Sweden

Swedish Match makes a public offer of SEK 170 per share for the shares of Treab Plus AB, a Swedish distributor of tobacco and tobacco related products as well as postcards, wrapping paper etc to retailers in Sweden. The value of the offer represents SEK 16.5 million. The turnover in 1996 for Treab Plus was SEK 105 million (USD 14 million).

The offer is subject to Swedish Match reaching at least 90% of the shares and receives the approval of the Swedish Competition Authority.

For further information, please contact:
Bo Aulin, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Work: +46 8 658 03 64
Mobile: +46 70 558 03 64
Home: +46 8 768 45 22

Boel Sundvall, Vice President Investor Relations, Corporate Affairs
Work: +46 8 658 01 73
Mobile: +46 70 651 39 09
Home: +46 8 25 87 12

Göran Ekdahl, Vice President Communication, Corporate Affairs
Work: +46 8 658 01 62
Mobile: +46 70 858 11 62