Interim Report January - March 2003

4/25/2003 6:46 AM EST

Interim Report
January - March 2003

· Sales reached 3,006 MSEK (3,317)
· Sales were flat in local currencies
· Continued volume growth for snuff
· Operating income declined to 516 MSEK (605) or by 15 percent
· Currency impact reduced operating income by 64 MSEK, or 11
percent
· EPS was 0.99 SEK (1.02)
· Total shares outstanding as of March 31, 2003 was 334.3 million
(350.0)


For further information, please contact:

Lennart Sundén, President and Chief Executive office +46 8 658 01 75
Officer

Sven Hindrikes, Executive Vice President and office +46 8 658 02 82
Chief Financial Officer mobile +46 70 567 41 76

Bo Aulin, Senior Vice President, Secretary office +46 8 658 03 64
and General Counsel mobile +46 70 558 03 64

Emmett Harrison, Vice President, Investor office +46 8 658 01 73
Relations
mobile +46 70 938 01 73

Lin McKinnie, Vice President, Investor office +1 804 302 1912
Relations (US) mobile +1 804 502 1912