Swedish Match’s statement to the Maltese media

SWEDISH MATCH – PRESS RELEASE
17 October, 2012

Swedish Match response to Maltese media

The statement is in response to several media requests from Maltese media.

Apart from this statement, Swedish Match has nothing to add concerning our co-operation with The Commission’s anti-fraud unit.

Neither do we have any additional information to share regarding the Maltese domestic political implications, or any developments that might follow in the aftermath of OLAF’s press briefing 2012-10-16.

– Swedish Match has an internal Code of Conduct which prevents us from taking any other measure than to report to the proper authorities any activities, proposals or statements which expose us to the risk of participating in illegal or unethical solutions to regulatory circumstances. The extent of our Public affairs remit is to raise our concerns to all available stakeholders and political bodies regarding the ongoing legislative reviews which affect our access to markets.

– When any such situation arises, it is company policy to report the incident to proper authorities, to co-operate fully in any investigation and to reveal all available information concerning Swedish Match which the investigating agency finds relevant.

– As a company, Swedish Match has no other option than to rely on due process, conducted with integrity and according to the letter of the law. Swedish Match has neither the ability nor the intention to influence any ongoing investigation. Swedish Match’s responsibility is to report and to co-operate; we have no opinion or comment to the actual outcome of the investigation or whatever political consequences may follow.

– Swedish Match has, as requested by OLAF, submitted all forms of communication and has been completely transparent about everything that has transpired, withholding nothing and with no concern for the potential consequences of making the report.

– Much of what is being speculated upon in Maltese media as relates to the timing of meetings, which party originated contact, as well as selected excerpts from emails are all part of the documentation already lodged with OLAF.

– The decision to investigate, the responsibility for the integrity of the investigation, and the final report rests solely with OLAF.

– Questions regarding the actual investigation, evaluation of submitted material and statements, and the final report by OLAF can only be directed to OLAF. Swedish Match has not seen any part of the report and has no comments to the press statement made by the director general of OLAF 2012-10-17.
– OLAF has never on any occasion, during the investigation or in its aftermath, stated that any actions by Swedish Match within the scope of the investigation were questionable or against the law. On the contrary Swedish Match’s transparency and willingness to co-operate has been commended.
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Contact:

Rupini Bergström
rupini.bergstrom @swedishmatch.com
Mobile: +46-70-5402892
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Swedish Match develops, manufactures, and sells market-leading brands in the product areas Snus and snuff, Other tobacco products (US mass market cigars and chewing tobacco), and Lights (matches and lighters).Well known brands include General snus, Longhorn moist snuff, Red Man chewing tobacco, White Owl cigars, Cricket lighters, and Fiat Lux matches. The Group sells products across the globe, with production units in six countries. The Group’s global operations generated sales of 12,205 MSEK for the twelve month period ending June 30, 2012. The Swedish Match share is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm (SWMA).
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Swedish Match AB (publ), Box 7179, SE-103 88 Stockholm, Sweden
Visiting address: Västra Trädgårdsgatan 15. Telephone: +46 8 658 0200
Corporate Identity Number: 556015-0756
www.swedishmatch.com